H-2466

AN ACT Relating to supported employment for persons with developmental disabilities; adding new sections to chapter 41.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the rate of unemployment among persons with developmental disabilities is high due to the limited employment opportunities available to disabled persons. Given that persons with disabilities are capable of filling employment positions in the general work force population, supported employment is an effective way of integrating such individuals into the general work force population. The creation of supported employment programs can increase the types and availability of employment positions for persons with developmental disabilities. Supported employment programs are not intended to displace employees or abrogate any reduction-in-force rights.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 3 through 5 of this act.

(1) "Developmental disability" means a disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020.

(2) "Supported employment" means employment for individuals with developmental disabilities who may require on-the-job training and long-term support in order to fulfill their job duties successfully. Supported employment offers the same wages and benefits as similar nonsupported employment positions.

(3) "State agency" means any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency of the state of Washington, including institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. By July 1, 1997, the office of financial management in consultation with the department of personnel, shall designate three agencies with at least fifty full-time equivalent employees to develop and implement a supported employment program. The number of agencies implementing a program shall be expanded by the office of financial management each year until all agencies with fifty or more full-time equivalent employees have implemented a program by January 1, 2001. A supported employment program must contain the following elements:

(1) Designating a coordinator who will be responsible for information and resource referral regarding the agency's supported employment program. The coordinator shall serve as a liaison between the agency and the department of personnel regarding supported employment. A person who serves as the agency's designee for issues pertaining to the Americans with disabilities act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 (1990), may also serve as the coordinator for the agency's supported employment program;

(2) Establishing goals for hiring of persons with developmental disabilities;

(3) Submitting an annual report to the supported employment advisory committee. The annual report shall include: A description of the supported employment program in place, the number of persons placed in supported employment positions, and an overall evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the agency's supported employment program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The department of personnel shall encourage, educate, and assist state agencies in implementing supported employment programs. The department of personnel shall provide human resources technical assistance to agencies implementing supported employment programs.

(2) The supported employment advisory committee is created within the department of personnel. The committee shall consist of representatives from the department of personnel, the department of social and health services, and supported employment provider associations. The committee shall assist the department of personnel in meeting its obligations under subsection (1) of this section. The committee shall also examine and make recommendations concerning expanding the supported employment program to include people with other disabilities, including mental disabilities. The committee shall review annual reports submitted by each agency with a supported employment program. The committee shall make available, upon request of the legislature for the first four years of the program, an annual report that evaluates the overall progress of supported employment programs in the state. After the first four years of the program, the committee may submit biennial reports upon the request of the legislature. The committee shall terminate on July 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The creation of supported employment positions under sections 3 and 4 of this act shall not count against an agency's allotted full-time equivalent employee positions or displace employees or abrogate any reduction in force rights.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 41.04 RCW.