HB 2771
Relating to wages of persons with disabilities
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to establish a state "Employment First" policy to encourage the integration of disabled individuals into the workforce. It proposes creating a taskforce to develop and implement this policy, removing an exemption that currently allows nonprofit workshops to pay disabled workers below minimum wage. The bill seeks to ensure that disabled workers receive wages comparable to those of non-disabled workers and promotes competitive employment opportunities.
Key provisions
- Establishes a state "Employment First" policy.
- Creates a taskforce to develop and implement the policy, including representatives from various state agencies and disability advocacy groups.
- Removes the exemption from paying minimum wages to disabled persons working in nonprofit workshops.
- Defines key terms such as "Competitive Employment," "Customized Employment," and "Integrated Employment."
- Requires state agencies (DHHR, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Education, etc.) to adopt and implement a joint Employment First plan.
- Directs the taskforce to develop timelines and proposals for aligning state policies to prioritize integrated employment.
- Mandates annual reporting on the progress of the Employment First policy.
- Includes provisions to address barriers to employment and promote training opportunities for disabled individuals.
Who is affected
- Individuals with disabilities
- Employers
- State government agencies (Division of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Education, Workforce West Virginia, Bureau for Behavioral Health, Bureau for Medical Services)
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