By Deshawn Ferrell
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A new bill, the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025, could improve unemployment benefits for millions of Maryland residents. It aims to streamline the process for those seeking financial stability.
The Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025, presented as Bill SB0752 on Jan. 31, 2025, is designed to update unemployment benefits for workers who lose their jobs. It adjusts the number of benefits workers can receive and makes payments fairer, more transparent, and more reflective of wages. Additionally, this bill aims to simplify the unemployment system for Maryland residents, making it easier to understand while encouraging policies that support faster job recovery without cutting off necessary financial assistance. The act is expected to be effective July 1, 2025.
Between 2002 and 2022, the U.S. spent between $2.41 billion and $4.64 billion annually on unemployment insurance administrative funding, and for 15 years, states received less funding than they spent. This has been an issue that people like 37-year-old Alana Noel have voiced concerns about after being unemployed previously. “I thought I worked a lot of hours, and I made decent pay, but it did not reflect in my unemployment when I was not able to work,” she said.
Individuals in Maryland now have a risk of unemployment because of the large-scale layoffs and consolidation of programs across various federal agencies. This initiative aims to decrease the size of the federal workforce, which a federal employee is at risk of, after hearing the impact of the bill, the employee on the condition of anonymity stated, “I have to worry about losing my job because of trump trying to downsize the government so hearing that they passed this act makes me feel just a little bit better knowing I will have at least something to fall back on. Ifeel more secureknowing that the state is trying to ensure we have better access.”
Even younger generations, such as 19-year-old Branson Morrison, express the positive impact and possible concerns. “It depends on the specifics of the bill. If it ensures that more people receive adequate support while unemployed and improves access without excessive bureaucracy, it could promote fairness and transparency. But it’s been something that’s promised before and not delivered on,” he said.
Overall, Maryland residents are relatively positive toward the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act. While there are still concerns about the bill’s implementation, particularly among younger generations like Branson Morrison, the general sentiment remains hopeful. Expect more ease and fairness when it comes to unemployment insurance, as the bill better supports those affected by job loss. With transparency and appropriate compensation, it has the potential to make a meaningful difference for many Maryland workers.
* Headline and image created by Microsoft 365 Copilot