Bill No.:         HB0073                                             Drafter: JWL

LSO No.:       14LSO-0282                                     Effective Date: 7/1/2014

Enrolled Act No.:    HEA0053

Chapter No.:                        CH0044

Prime Sponsor:       Representative Filer

Catch Title:              State employment-persons with disabilities.

Subject:                     Creates incentives to employ persons with disabilities.

Summary/Major Elements:  This act:

· Establishes “Employment First” as a state policy in order to support competitive employment in an integrated setting;

· Provides that Employment First shall be the policy of the Human Resources Division in hiring state employees and of the Department of Health in contracting with disability service providers;

· Defines “Employment first” as a concept to facilitate the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and community;

· Defines “Competitive employment” as work in the competitive labor market that is performed in an integrated setting, for which an individual is compensated the same as similar work performed by individuals who are not disabled;

· Defines “Integrated setting” as a setting typically found in the community in which individuals with disabilities interact with individuals in the community to the same extent as individuals who do not have disabilities;

· Directs the Governor to convene a task force to develop a strategic plan to implement the Employment First policy.

Report Required:  The Department of Health to Joint Labor Interim Committee by October 1st annually from 2014 through 2017, on adoption of rules and implementation of the Employment First strategic plan.