FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 15, 2024
Time Requested: 05:06 PM |
| Agency: |
Rehabilitation Services, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1570 |
Introduced |
HB4749 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
|---|
|
FUND(S):
8734
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund Federal
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
Under HB 4749, the estimated cumulative cost to the State is $0. The estimated cumulative revenue to the State is $0.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The purpose of HB 4749, in part, is to provide for fair pay and maximized employment of disabled persons; create a state “Employment First” policy that encourages agencies to facilitate employment of disabled persons; and remove current exemption for paying minimum wages to persons in nonprofit workshops. To this end, the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) already conducts activities of this nature in its mission to enable and empower individuals with disabilities to work and to live independently by providing individualized services to consumers and employers, consistent with consumers’ informed choices.
DRS uses an “Employment First” approach with consumers, actively assisting them with moving toward a goal of competitive, integrated employment. Likewise, DRS complies with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regarding efforts to minimize Sheltered Workshop employment for individuals with disabilities by providing the individuals employed at such Workshops with information regarding competitive, integrated employment and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. As of January 2024, the number of individuals with disabilities employed at Sheltered Workshops in West Virginia is minimal.
Presently, the DRS Director is a mandated member of the Employment First Taskforce, created through HB 2290, which passed on March 30, 2021 during the Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature. The DRS Director and senior management members have been active participants in the taskforce since its creation. This taskforce, lead by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Behavior Health, was charged with developing recommendations on the implementation of an Employment First Policy, and includes members from the Department of Education, Workforce West Virginia, the Bureau of Medical Services and people with disabilities.
Changing the leadership of the taskforce at this time, as proposed in HB 4749, would cause setbacks in the progress and momentum the current taskforce is making for the state of West Virginia.
Currently, DRS maintains active partnerships with the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Resources, and Workforce to serve individuals with disabilities as effectively and efficiently as possible. Over the past two years, DRS has facilitated training opportunities for partner agencies to gain an understanding of services provided to achieve the goal of competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
Note that this PARTIAL Fiscal Note highlights the projected costs to DRS following the passage of HB 4749. Additional costs to other agencies and contributors to the proposed taskforce cannot be ascertained by DRS at this time.
Memorandum
Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Tracy Carr
Email Address: Tracy.j.carr@wv.gov