Bill > SR212

This Resolution requests that state and county agencies in Hawaii adopt "employment first principles," which means prioritizing competitive employment in integrated settings as the primary option for individuals with disabilities seeking assistance from publicly funded programs. Competitive employment is defined as work in the regular job market, full or part-time, in a setting where people with and without disabilities interact, and where individuals are paid at least minimum wage and receive comparable benefits to their non-disabled peers. Integrated settings are workplaces where people with disabilities interact with people without disabilities, beyond just service providers. The Resolution also clarifies that this does not mandate preferential hiring for individuals with disabilities or eliminate other supported employment services. It specifically asks the Department of Human Services to implement these principles for waiver program personnel and ensure contracted providers do the same.