SB21-039 Summary

• Eliminates Colorado's subminimum wage provision (15% below minimum wage) for workers with disabilities effective July 1, 2021, and prohibits hiring new employees at subminimum wage rates.

• Requires employers holding federal special certificates to submit transition plans by June 30, 2022, detailing how they will phase out subminimum wage employment by July 1, 2025, and transition workers to competitive integrated employment, supported employment, or community activities.

• Mandates annual reporting and progress tracking toward transition plan benchmarks, with the Department of Labor and Employment authorized to issue compliance orders to employers failing to demonstrate adequate progress.

• Adds new Medicaid waiver services effective July 1, 2023, including line-of-sight job supervision and benefits counseling, while removing authorization limits on individual job coaching and job development services.

• Appropriates $90,691 in state funds and anticipates $409,885 in federal funds for fiscal year 2021-22 to implement transition support services and system modifications.