The Kansas Senate approved a bill that would change the length of time Kansans can receive unemployment compensation.

The bill approved Wednesday links the compensation to the state’s jobless rate, and raises the surcharge employers pay into the unemployment trust fund.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the bill would allow Kansans to claim unemployment for the current standard of 26 weeks only when the jobless rate is above 6 percent. That would drop to 20 weeks if the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent to 6 percent. Benefits would stop at 16 weeks when the rate was under 4.5 percent.

Supporters say the changes would motivate people who are out of work to find jobs. Opponents argued many unemployed people need the benefits to support their families.