AN ACT INCREASING THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT FOR FELONY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FRAUD.

SB 347 increases the felony threshold for unemployment fraud from $500 to $2,000. Individuals who fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits totaling more than $2,000 will now face a class D felony charge, while amounts up to $2,000 will result in a class A misdemeanor. This change, effective October 1, 2026, directly affects people committing unemployment benefit fraud by altering the severity of penalties based on the amount fraudulently obtained. The bill modifies Section 31-273(f) of the general statutes to reflect this higher threshold.