Relating to employment of persons with disabilities

This bill provides that in order to ensure full participation in the social and economic life of Iowa by persons with disabilities, it is declared to be the policy of the state that competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first and preferred option when serving persons with disabilities who are of working age to obtain employment. The bill specifies this policy applies to programs and services that provide services and support to help obtain employment for persons with disabilities. The bill directs all state agencies to follow this policy and ensure that it is effectively implemented in their programs and services. The bill shall not be construed to require any employer to give preference to hiring persons with disabilities. §214(c) on or after July 1, 2026. §214(c) is a provision of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act that authorizes persons with disabilities to be employed for less than the federal minimum wage in certain circumstances. The bill directs the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing to engage in outreach to make employers of persons with disabilities in Iowa aware of the prohibition. The prohibition does not apply to a nonprofit organization operating a sheltered workshop as otherwise provided by law. This exception to the prohibition is repealed July 1, 2027.