[nfbmi-talk] will this software be accessable to blind employees?

[joe harcz Comcast]

State House approves bill to root out unemployment fraud

 

Published: Monday, March 21, 2011, 1:56 PM

Jackie Headapohl

By

Jackie Headapohl

032111stamas.jpgMichigan State Rep. Jim Stamas (R-Midland)

Last week, the Michigan House

approved House Bill 4408,

legislation by Rep. Jim Stamas (R-Midland) that  requires the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency to purchase fraud detection software to help detect

fraud and overpayment of unemployment benefits.

 

"Right now, it's estimated that unemployment fraud costs the state more than $100 million a year," Stamas said.  "This software costs $5 million and will

be paid for from fines and penalties and not from the general fund."

 

Nine other states have implemented the cost-savings software and realized between $60 and $80 million in savings, Stamas added.

 

In addition to requiring the purchase of the software,

the bill

also doubles the amount of damages that can be recovered for a second unemployment fraud violation of less than $500.

 

"Unemployment benefits are tremendously important because they provide relief to out-of-work residents, but nobody wins when fraud exists," Stamas said.

"With proven safeguards in place, we can curb abuse and ensure unemployment benefits go to people who truly need them."

 

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. Stamas said he does not know if the Senate plans to bring the legislation up for a vote.

 

http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2011/03/state_house_approves_bill_to_root_out_un.html