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Md. Lawmakers Approve Bill For Jobless Benefits

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland General Assembly has approved a measure that's needed for the state to collect additional federal jobless benefits. 

Lawmakers on Monday sent the bill to Gov. Martin O'Malley, who backs the measure. 

Maryland residents who have been unemployed for more than a year will be able to collect benefits for 13 more weeks. It will bring roughly $280 million to the state. 

The money is available under a provision in the 2009 federal stimulus act that allowed residents in states with high
unemployment rates to receive up to 20 additional weeks of federally funded jobless benefits after using the 79 weeks
authorized under other federal laws. 

Maryland was one of seven states that had not passed a law to participate. 

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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