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WV HB5256
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/5/2026
Primary Sponsor
Mike Pushkin
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes a State "Employment First Policy" requiring that competitive employment in the general workforce be the first and preferred outcome for all publicly funded services provided to working-age individuals with disabilities
- Creates an Employment First Taskforce chaired by the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, with members including individuals with disabilities, family members, and representatives from multiple state agencies including Education, Workforce West Virginia, and Medicaid
- Requires the taskforce to develop and submit an Employment First Plan to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months, with annual progress reports and biennial updates
- Removes the exemption that currently allows nonprofit sheltered workshops to pay disabled workers below minimum wage, requiring all disabled employees to receive at least the state minimum wage
- Mandates strategies to reduce sheltered work settings while increasing investment in integrated employment services that comply with federal requirements including the Americans with Disabilities Act's "most integrated setting" rule
Legislative Description
Relating to wages of persons with disabilities
Human Services
Last Action
To House Health and Human Resources
2/5/2026
Committee Referrals
Health & Human Resources2/5/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available