This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 28, 2023. This bill focuses on setting standards for employment for people with disabilities.
The bill instructs the Department of Labor to grant funds to states and eligible entities to help them change their business and program structures to support people with disabilities. This includes aiding disabled individuals in securing and keeping jobs, offering community participation and support services, and ensuring these services meet federal standards for those receiving home and community-based services.
Additionally, the bill bans the issuance of new special certificates that permit paying disabled individuals subminimum wages and gradually eliminates existing certificates over four years.
The bill instructs the Office of Disability Employment in the Department of Labor to grant funds for offering technical support and strategic assistance to employers as they move from using special certificates to offering competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.
Labor is required to engage a nonprofit organization to conduct an evaluation assessing the effects of this transition.