HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5329

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Garrett, Johnson, Peterson, Wojahn, Lee, Tanner, Warnke, Williams and Kiskaddon; by request of Joint Select Committee on Disability Employment and Economic Participation)

Requiring a study to determine disincentives to work contained in public benefit programs for persons of disability.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisch, Fisher, R. King, O'Brien, Patrick, Sanders, Sayan, C. Smith and Walker.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Joint Select Committee on Disability Employment and Economic Participation found that many state benefit and service programs for persons of disability impose conditions that create economic hardships for persons of disability who work.  The committee recommended that these disincentives to work should be studied and proposals developed to remove any disincentives, with a report submitted to the legislature for consideration in the 1988 legislative session.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to conduct a study, in consultation with other agencies and organizations, of state policies and public benefit programs administered by state agencies to determine disincentives to work in these programs for persons of disability.  The study must include an implementation plan to remove any barriers, including proposals for necessary legislation.  The study and report must be submitted to the Commerce and Labor committees of the Senate and House of Representatives by December 1, 1987.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Les Treece-Sinclair, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Many state services for disabled persons are terminated if the person obtains employment, even if the employment is part-time and low paying.  These disincentives to employment should be studied to determine whether policy changes are needed.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.