The disAbility Law Center of Virginia supports efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. There are a few important bills we are supporting.
Delegate Hope has a bill to phase out subminimum wage employment for people with disabilities, starting in July 2023, and eventually coming into line with the state minimum wage by July 2025. Currently, an employer who holds a “14c” certificate, issued by the US Department of Labor, is not required to comply with federal minimum wage laws when employing people with disabilities. Recently, the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services received a $13.9 million federal grant to assist with transitioning 14c employers to become minimum wage employers. HB 1924 eliminates the state law reference to 14c and establishes stages for bringing those employees up to the state minimum wage. The bill was approved by the Committee on Commerce and Energy on Tuesday, January 31 and now moves to the full House for consideration.
HB 2153 from Delegate Guzman makes some adjustments to the state’s alternative application process for people with disabilities. The bill was approved by the House Committee on General Laws and now goes to the full House for consideration.
During the legislative session and all year long, we educate policymakers about the potential impact of legislative and regulatory proposals. Please let us know of any issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at ga@dlcv.org or info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.