H-3738.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2364
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 2000 Regular Session
By Representatives Cody, Carlson, Edmonds, Parlette, Edwards, Kastama, Conway, Schual‑Berke, Kagi, Kenney, Tokuda, Murray, Ogden, Ruderman, McDonald, Stensen, Van Luven, Lovick, Veloria, Poulsen, Wood, Kessler, Regala, Reardon, Cooper, Anderson and Santos
Read first time 01/11/2000. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to eliminating employment barriers for individuals with disabilities; adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.29 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that individuals with disabilities face many barriers and disincentives to employment. Individuals with disabilities are often unable to obtain health insurance that provides the services and supports necessary to allow them to live independently and enter or rejoin the work force. In some cases, government policies and services create barriers to employment through disqualifying workers with disabilities from needed health care and support services. The legislature finds that there is a compelling public interest in eliminating barriers to work by creating financial incentives to work, by continuing needed health care coverage, and by providing individuals with disabilities real choice in obtaining the services and technology they need to find, enter, and maintain employment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
(1) It is the intent of the legislature to remove barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities through the continuation of medical care services in accordance with medical eligibility requirements established by the department.
(2) The department shall establish earned income disregards, cost sharing, and a schedule of premiums, consistent with federal law, that eliminate disincentives to employment for individuals with disabilities.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 74.29 RCW to read as follows:
(1) It is the intent of the legislature to remove barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities through the provision of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an employment network of the beneficiary's choice.
(2) The department of social and health services shall develop a program to assist individuals with disabilities to seek, gain, and keep employment through the provision of the following services:
(a) Utilizing earned income disregards for individuals with disabilities who gain employment; and
(b) Providing individuals with disabilities a ticket to obtain vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, and other support services of their choice.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act takes effect October 1, 2000.
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