Concerns repayment of unemployment insurance benefits obtained fraudulently.

This bill amends New Jersey's unemployment insurance law to require individuals who fraudulently obtained benefits to repay those funds in full before receiving any future benefits. It increases fines for fraudulently obtaining benefits to $250 per offense or 50% of the amount obtained (whichever is greater), up from the previous 25% rate. The bill also raises penalties for employers who fraudulently prevent or reduce payments to employees or under-report contributions to 50% of the amount withheld or under-reported. These changes strengthen enforcement against unemployment insurance fraud and ensure proper repayment of improperly obtained benefits. The bill creates an investigative staff within the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance to enforce these provisions.