DE HB301

Repeals § 5501(m) of Title 29 of the Delaware Code, which had included blind and sighted employees of concession stands operated by the Bureau for the Visually Impaired in the State Employees' Pension Plan.

Removes Business Enterprise Program (BEP) participants from the State pension plan, as these individuals are meant to be independent blind entrepreneurs operating their own vending facilities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, not state employees.

Addresses federal compliance issues with the Rehabilitation Services Administration, which recommended removing blind vendors from all state pension and payroll systems to comply with the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. § 107 et seq.).

Takes effect January 1, 2020, aligning with when the Division for the Visually Impaired already removed BEP vendors from the State's payroll system.