AL HB285

Establishes the Jeff Ridgeway Alabama Employment First Initiative Act, requiring state programs and services to promote competitive, integrated employment as a first option for working-age individuals with disabilities seeking employment.

Defines competitive employment as full-time or part-time work in an integrated community setting where individuals with disabilities are compensated at or above minimum wage and receive customary benefits equal to non-disabled workers performing the same or similar work.

Requires all state agencies to coordinate efforts and collaborate to ensure state programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment, and to share data across systems to track implementation progress.

Designates the Alabama Department of Mental Health as the lead agency for coordinating the initiative among state agencies, with authorization for all state agencies to adopt implementing rules.

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