SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1706

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Eliminates special certificates that allow an employer to pay below the minimum wage to workers with disabilities.
Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to extend existing certificates for certain workers receiving services under the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA), and requires the DDA to provide services to eligible workers.
Requires L&I and the Department of Social and Health Services to submit reports to the Legislature.

Background: Special Certificates. Employers covered under the Minimum Wage Act are required to pay employees age eighteen or older at least the minimum hourly wage. L&I has the authority to issue special certificates to employers allowing them to pay wages lower than the minimum wage for a fixed period of time. Employers with special certificates can pay sub-minimum wages to learners, student workers, apprentices, and individuals impaired by age, physical or mental deficiency, or injury.

Developmental Disabilities Administration. The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) DDA assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and support based on individual preferences, capabilities, and needs. Eligibility for DDA services depends on whether the client has a qualified developmental disability, has a functional need, and meets certain income and asset standards. The services provided to clients include employment services and community access services, which are contracted with counties.

Employment services provide ongoing support services and training for eligible persons in a variety of settings and work sites. These include individual supported employment, group supported employment, and preemployment services.

Community access services assist individuals to participate in activities that promote individualized skill development, independent living, and community integration.

In general, DDA clients twenty-one years and older must be enrolled in employment services for nine months before transferring to community access services.

Summary of Bill: L&I may not issue any new special certificates to employ persons with disabilities at less than the minimum wage. Current special certificates remain valid until they expire.

L&I may extend the expiration date of certificates for workers who are clients of the DDA if:

the extension would enable the worker to complete the employment services period required before the person can receive certain services under the DDA program; and
the employer requests an extension.

L&I must notify the employer and the worker of the expiration of the special certificate, the ability to extend the certificate under limited circumstances, and provide DSHS contact information. L&I may share information, such as individuals' contact information and expiration dates of special certificates, with DSHS for purposes of offering assistance.

DSHS must provide services that assist eligible individuals in transitioning from subminimum wage employment to employment programs or other programs under DDA.

DSHS and L&I must submit an initial and a final report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature regarding the impacts of the act on workers with developmental disabilities. The reports must include, among other things, the number of individuals who continued to work after expiration of their certificates, the number of individuals who contacted DSHS for services, and services provided.

Statutory language is changed to use the term disabilities instead of handicapped and physical or mental deficiency.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Current law is a relic of the past and predates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Back then, they had a different opinion of people with disabilities. This bill is part of a national movement and passed with bipartisan support. If a person with a disability works, they should be paid minimum wage because all people deserve equal and fair pay. People with severe disabilities can be supported in other ways that do not depend on a subminimum wage. The bill does not eliminate group supported employment, it just requires them to pay minimum wage. Group supported employers can make the transition and pay the full minimum wage as some in the state have already done. We should not assume employers will not step up and pay minimum wage.

CON: The bill puts jobs at risks and makes assumptions that employers can afford to pay the minimum wage. Advocates for the bill do not represent the whole disabled community, especially those who are severely disabled and cannot advocate for themselves. Some people are not able to find individual employment and rely on group supported employment. The bill will eliminate group supported employment and reduce hours of work and the number of jobs available. Wages are not always the most important aspect of a job. The bill does not provide a new structure or new funding, which will harm people using group supported employment. The federal government recommended a six year phase-in, while this bill has no phase-in. People without higher level skills will lose jobs that they enjoy.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Noel Frame, Prime Sponsor; Jessica Renner, citizen; Tim Goodwin, Morningside; Jim Larson, Morningside (CEO, Retired); Joshua Lee Major, self advocate; Jenni Mecham, Chair of the Washington Democrats Disability Issues Caucus; Samantha Arrendondo, self advocate; Gillian Maguire, Microsoft; Tom Gaulke, Entrust Community Services; Kyle Matheson, People First of Washington; Joanne O'Neill, parent; Victor Vanderdoes, parent; Aubrey Baier, Business Owner; Cathy Murahashi, The Arc of King County; Joseph Morrison, self advocate; Debbie Myers, SKCAC; Eric Matthes, The Arc of King County Self Advocate; Debbie Meyers, SKCAC Industries and Employment Services, Executive Director.

CON: Joe Weinand, citizen; Aaron Wright, citizen; Clayton Wright, citizen; Kelley Nesbitt, Families Building Better Lives for Those with DD; Ryan Nesbitt, self advocate; Thomas Mccabe, citizen; Dayna Stevenson, citizen; Vivian Stevenson, citizen; Debby Gill, citizen; Alan Gill, citizen; Jo Simms, Families Building Better Lives; Cheryl Felak, citizen.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Denise Mackenstadt, citizen; Marci Carpenter, National Federation of the Blind, Washington; Jayson Morris, citizen; Anna Miller, self advocate; Aimee Champion, citizen; Ivanova Smith, self advocate; Shaun Bickley, The Arc of King County; Mike Rogers, self advocate; Emily Rogers, self advocate; Robert Werdell, self advocate; Jennifer Cole, citizen; Anna Miller, Morningside.

OTHER: Evelyn Perez, Developmental Disabilities Administration; Susan Harrell, WISE; Suzy Stremmel, King County Human Services.