Bill > HF262

This bill addresses several key provisions related to wages for individuals with disabilities and enhances the state's service tracking system. Specifically, the bill prohibits employers from paying employees with disabilities less than the minimum wage, with a phased implementation: starting August 1, 2025, employers cannot hire new employees with disabilities at subminimum wages, and by August 1, 2027, all employers must pay employees with disabilities the highest applicable minimum wage, regardless of whether they hold a special federal certificate allowing subminimum wages. The bill also requires lead agencies to ensure this wage standard is met across various service programs. Additionally, the legislation mandates reporting on current subminimum wage practices and requires providers of home and community-based services to track and report data about employees with disabilities. As part of the bill's implementation, the state will appropriate $38,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 to enhance the MnCHOICES system, which will include embedding employment-related materials into the application. This bill represents a significant step towards ensuring fair wage practices for individuals with disabilities in Minnesota.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0262&ssn=0&y=2025