AL HB660

Establish the Alabama Employment First Initiative Act to require state programs and services to prioritize competitive, integrated employment as the first option for working-age individuals with disabilities.

Define competitive employment as full-time or part-time work in an integrated community setting compensated at or above minimum wage and at customary wage and benefit levels for similar work by non-disabled employees.

Require all state agencies to coordinate and collaborate to ensure state programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment of individuals with disabilities, with agencies sharing data across systems to track implementation progress.

Authorize state agencies to adopt rules necessary to implement the act and designate the Alabama Department of Mental Health as the lead coordinating agency.

Clarify that the act does not require any employer to give hiring preference to individuals with disabilities; act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.