H-2055

AN ACT Relating to supported employment; amending RCW 41.04.750, 41.04.760, and 41.04.770; and amending 1997 c 287 s 1 (uncodified).

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

Sec. 1. 1997 c 287 s 1 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that the rate of unemployment among ((~~persons~~)) individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant disabilities is high due to the limited employment opportunities available to ((~~disabled persons~~)) them. Given that ((~~persons~~)) individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant 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~~)) individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant disabilities.

Sec. 2. RCW 41.04.750 and 1997 c 287 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 41.04.760 through 41.04.780.

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

(2) "Significant disability" means a disability as defined in 29 U.S.C. Sec. 705.

(3) "Supported employment" means employment for individuals with developmental disabilities or other significant 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)~~)) (4) "State agency" means any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, community college or institution of higher education, or agency of the state of Washington.

Sec. 3. RCW 41.04.760 and 1997 c 287 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

State agencies are encouraged to participate in supported employment activities. The department of social and health services, in conjunction with the department of personnel and the office of financial management, shall identify agencies that have positions and funding conducive to implementing supported employment. An agency may only participate in supported employment activities pursuant to this section if the agency is able to operate the program within its existing budget. These agencies shall:

(1) Designate 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;

(2) Submit an annual update to the department of social and health services, the department of personnel, and the office of financial management. The annual update shall include: A description of the agency's supported employment efforts, the number of ((~~persons~~)) individuals placed in supported employment positions by type of disability, ((~~recommendations concerning expanding the supported employment program to include people with mental disabilities or other disabilities,~~)) and an overall evaluation of the effectiveness of supported employment for the agency.

Sec. 4. RCW 41.04.770 and 1997 c 287 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of social and health services and the department of personnel shall, after consultation with supported employment provider associations and other interested parties, encourage, educate, and assist state agencies in implementing supported employment programs. The department of social and health services shall maintain information regarding the number of supported employment placements by type of disability. The department of personnel shall provide human resources technical assistance to agencies implementing supported employment programs. The department of personnel shall make available, upon request of the legislature, an annual report that evaluates the overall progress of supported employment in state government.