Requesting State And County Agencies To Implement Employment First Principles In Hiring Practices And All Programs And Services Administered Or Funded By The State And Counties, Including Programs And Services That Help Persons With Disabilities Obtain Employment.
This resolution builds upon previous legislative actions, such as Act 155, which allowed Medicaid recipients to earn a livable wage without losing their benefits, and Act 55, which removed exemptions from minimum wage for individuals with disabilities. HCR72 seeks to further integrate employment for individuals with disabilities within the community, ensuring that state policies prioritize their hiring and integrate them into the workforce as the primary employment option.
HCR72, introduced in the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii in 2022, is a concurrent resolution that requests state and county agencies to adopt 'employment first principles' in their hiring practices and in the programs and services they administer or fund. The bill underscores the importance of allowing persons with disabilities to obtain competitive employment in integrated settings, thereby facilitating their meaningful inclusion in the workforce. It promotes the objective that all persons, regardless of disability, be considered for employment at a fair wage without compromising their benefits.
While the bill emphasizes support for individuals with disabilities in finding employment, it clarifies that it does not mandate employers to favor these individuals over others nor does it propose eliminating other supported employment services. This aspect is crucial in addressing potential concerns from employers about the implications of the bill on hiring practices. The resolution anticipates collaboration among various agencies to ensure consistent implementation across state endeavors, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhance employment opportunities for this demographic.