Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB55 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		25 LC 55 0416
2	2		Senate Bill 55
3	3		By: Senators Hickman of the 4th, Halpern of the 39th, Esteves of the 35th, Still of the 48th,
4	4		Echols of the 49th and others
5		-	AS PASSED
	5	+	AS PASSED SENATE
6	6		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
7	7		AN ACT
8	8		To amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial
9	9		1
10	10		relations, so as to phase out the payment of subminimum wage to persons with disabilities;2
11	11		to repeal provisions concerning exemptions to the state minimum wage law for persons with3
12	12		disabilities; to provide that no employer shall utilize a certificate issued by the United States4
13	13		Department of Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 214(c) to pay individuals with disabilities5
14	14		less than the federal minimum wage; to provide exceptions; to provide for related matters;6
15	15		to provide a short title; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other7
16	16		purposes.8
17	17		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9
18	18		SECTION 1.10
19	19		This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Dignity and Pay Act."11
20	20		SECTION 2.12
21	21		Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations,13
22	22		is amended by revising Code Section 34-4-4, relating to authority of commissioner to grant14
23	23		exemptions from operation of chapter, as follows:15
24	24		S. B. 55
25	25		- 1 - 25 LC 55 0416
26	26		"34-4-4.
27	27		16
28	28		(a) The Commissioner of Labor is authorized to grant exemptions to certain categories of
29	29		17
30	30		organizations and businesses for the purpose of exempting them from the operation of this18
31	31		chapter. The exemptions so granted shall be based upon considerations of the value of19
32	32		allowing certain classes of persons to be employed at rates below the minimum rate20
33	33		because of overriding considerations of public policy to allow employment of certain21
34	34		persons with disabilities and others who cannot otherwise compete effectively in the labor22
35	35		market.23
36	36		(b) The Commissioner of Labor is authorized to conduct investigations and compile24
37	37		information as to the reasons for granting exemptions to certain organizations and25
38	38		businesses pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. The Commissioner is required26
39	39		to maintain a list of such exemptions, along with the records of the investigations27
40	40		conducted and the basis for the granting of such exemptions, which list and records shall28
41	41		be a public record. Reserved."29
42	42		SECTION 3.30
43	43		Said title is further amended in Code Section 34-6A-4, relating to prohibited discriminatory31
44	44		activities, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:32
45	45		"(a.1)(1) No employer shall utilize a certificate issued by the United States Department33
46	46		of Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 214(c) to pay individuals with disabilities who34
47	47		are employed by such employer less than the minimum wage required to be paid by35
48	48		employers to employees under federal law.36
49	49		(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 34-4-3 and37
50	50		paragraph (1) of this subsection, any employer that was issued a certificate by the United38
51	51		States Department of Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 214(c) on or before39
52	52		July 1, 2025, may utilize such certificate to pay individuals with disabilities employed by40
53	53		S. B. 55
54	54		- 2 - 25 LC 55 0416
55	55		such employer less than the minimum wage required to be paid by employers to41
56	56		employees under federal law; provided, however, that:42
57	57		(A) During the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, such employer shall pay43
58	58		individuals with disabilities at least half of the minimum wage required to be paid by44
59	59		employers to employees under federal law; and45
60	60		(B) On and after July 1, 2027, such employer shall no longer utilize such certificate to46
61	61		pay individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage required to be paid by47
62	62		employers to employees under federal law."48
63	63		SECTION 4.49
64	64		This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025.50
65	65		SECTION 5.51
66	66		All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.52
67	67		S. B. 55
68	68		- 3 -