SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40
(By Senator Walker)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct an
interim committee study to examine the effects on the citizens
of West Virginia by the implementation of the adoption of
United States House of Representatives Resolution No. 1180,
relating to the Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act.
Whereas, The employment of all citizens, including individuals
with disabilities, is a concern of the Legislature; and
Whereas, The unemployment rate among West Virginia citizens
with disabilities is seventy-nine percent; and
Whereas, The adoption of House Resolution No. 1180, known as
the Social Security Ticket-to-Work and Works Incentives Improvement
Act, promotes and expands the employment options of individuals
with disabilities who are receiving Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits while
allowing them to work and retain their health care benefits; and
Whereas, There are currently 50,097 West Virginians receiving
SSI/SSDI benefits who are of employable age; and
Whereas, A primary impediment to employment for individuals
with disabilities is the fear of losing health care coverage; and
Whereas, The Legislature believes the full employment of all
West Virginians is critical and the state should explore all
options available to all its citizens; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to review, examine and study the implementation of House
Resolution No. 1180 in West Virginia in order to ensure that all
provisions of the law are implemented to the betterment of all
citizens of West Virginia and, most especially, those citizens with
disabilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance should appoint a subcommittee composed of nine members,
including three members of the Senate, appointed by the President
of the Senate; three members of the House of Delegates, appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three members who are
persons with disabilities whose lives could be impacted by the
provisions of House Resolution No. 1180, appointed in consultation
with the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, the
West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council and the West Virginia
Developmental Disabilities Council; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2001, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.