Wyoming Employment First Policy for Persons with Disabilities
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Official record
Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> 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.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 7, 6:36 AM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill's intent but is struggling to vote for it due to concerns about conflicting language regarding mandatory implementation versus non-preferential hiring, and fears it may create preferential treatment that impacts other job seekers.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides necessary direction to preserve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities that are currently being removed by state departments.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a vote against the bill because he believes existing workforce services are already effective and opposes the mandatory language requiring task forces.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill after hearing testimony that it encourages employment over other services and clarifies that there is no intention to replace existing workers or give preferential treatment.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill as a way to help society look beyond disabilities and recognize individuals with potential, comparing it to past progress against gender and age discrimination.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the legislation because it helps individuals with developmental disabilities achieve better lives and saves state money compared to day programs, while emphasizing that no preferential hiring is intended.
R · S30
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill on balance, believing it will do more good than harm by helping individuals with disabilities succeed in employment despite concerns about contradictory language.
S13
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill as a necessary conduit for agencies to coordinate and implement an initiative that moves individuals with disabilities off state assistance programs into competitive employment.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports an amendment to clarify that the bill does not eliminate supported employment services as an option for providers and state agencies.
D · H12
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because it strengthens the bill by addressing concerns raised through collaboration with providers.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker changed their position from opposing the bill to supporting both the amendment and the bill because the amendment addresses their previous concerns.
D · H12
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains that the bill aims to prioritize competitive employment for people with developmental disabilities before placing them on waiting lists or in day services. They also note that state agencies support the legislation and it could save money by having individuals work rather than relying solely on waiver services.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
5 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
3 stored
Adopted 2nd reading by FILER
Adopted, Corrected 3rd reading by COLEMAN
Adopted, Corrected Standing Committee by H10