The bill phases out subminimum wage employment for employers
that hold a special certificate from the United States department of labor that authorizes the employers to pay less than the minimum wage to
employees whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental disability, or injury. The bill requires each employer that holds a special certificate to submit a transition plan to the Colorado department of labor and employment detailing how the employer plans to phase out subminimum wage employment.
The bill requires the employment first advisory partnership in the
Colorado department of labor and employment (partnership) to:
Develop actionable recommendations to address structural and fiscal barriers to phasing out subminimum wage employment and successfully implementing competitive integrated employment; and
Report the recommendations to the general assembly.
The bill continues operation of the partnership, which is scheduled
to repeal on July 1, 2021, indefinitely.
The bill requires the department of health care policy and
financing to add employment-related services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.