HB 5256
Relating to wages of persons with disabilities
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to establish a state "Employment First" policy in West Virginia to promote integrated employment for people with disabilities. It seeks to eliminate the exemption allowing nonprofit workshops to pay disabled workers below minimum wage. The bill creates a task force to develop and implement this policy, outlining definitions like ‘competitive employment’ and ‘integrated employment,’ and mandates collaboration between various state agencies. It also includes provisions for training and addressing barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities.
Key provisions
- Establishes a state "Employment First" policy to prioritize competitive employment for people with disabilities.
- Creates an Employment First Taskforce comprised of representatives from various state agencies and disability advocacy groups.
- Requires the taskforce to develop and implement a plan for aligning state policies and funding to support integrated employment.
- Eliminates the exemption from minimum wage requirements for disabled workers in nonprofit workshops.
- Defines key terms such as ‘competitive employment,’ ‘customized employment,’ and ‘integrated employment’ within the context of the policy.
- Mandates interagency agreements to improve coordination of services for individuals with disabilities.
- Includes provisions for workforce competency training and addressing cultural barriers to employment.
- Requires the Governor to report on the progress of the Employment First Policy annually.
Who is affected
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