SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB1833 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amen dments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SENATE FLOOR VERSION April 15, 2025 ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1833 By: Hefner, Miller, Provenzano , and Deck of the House and Kirt of the Senate An Act relating to labor; creating the Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabiliti es Task Force; providing the purpose for the Task Force; providing for membership; providing rules for reporting; setting an end date; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 365 of Title 40, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. There is hereby created until November 1, 2027, the Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabilities Task Force. B. The Task Force shall study and develop a plan to phase out the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminim um wages under 14(c) certificate programs in Oklahoma. The T ask Force shall study, review, and make recommendations on the following, with a SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB1833 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amen dments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 focus on transitioning workers with disabilities currently being paid subminimum wages under 14(c) certificates to competitive, integrated employment at or above minimum wage, and when appropriate, alternative meaningful day programs for those not able or wanting to move to competitive, integrated employment: 1. Identify potential obstacles and negative impacts of ph asing out subminimum wages and 14(c) use in Oklahoma; and 2. Develop a plan for phasing out subminimum wages and 14(c) use in Oklahoma that: a. reduces potential negative impacts and maximizes the potential for successful transition to competitive, integrated employment, b. includes alternative meaningful day progr ams for those individuals who do not wish to transition to competitive, integrated employment or for those for whom it is not appropriate, and c. establishes an appropriate timeline for phasing o ut subminimum wages. C. The Task Force shall consist of elev en (11) members as follows: 1. The Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development; 2. A member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB1833 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amen dments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. A member of the Oklahoma State Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore; 4. A representative from the Oklahoma Disability Law Center, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate; 5. A representative from the Oklahoma state chapter of th e Association of People Supporting Employment First, appointe d by the Speaker of the House; 6. A self-advocate who is currently enrolled or previously employed at subminimum wage, appointed by the Board of the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council; 7. A parent or family member of a person with a disability w ho has successfully transitioned from subminimum wage to competitive, integrated employment, appointed by the Board of the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council; 8. A director of a program who previously held a 14(c) certificate and successfully tra nsitioned to community integrated employment, appointed by the Governor; 9. A private employer who employs individuals with disabilities, appointed by the Governor; 10. The Director of the Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services or his or her designee; and 11. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services or his or her designee. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB1833 SFLR Page 4 (Bold face denotes Committee Amen dments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 D. The member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the member of the Oklahoma State Senate shall serve as co -chairs of the Task Force. Appointments to the Task Force shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. Meetings of the Task Force shall be held at the call of either co -chair of the Task Force. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the ir appointing authorities. A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but no vacancy shall impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the Task Force. Except as otherwise pro vided, a vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled by the original appointing authority. If the original appointing authority fails to make an appointment within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act, a majority of the members of the Task Force who have been appointed may fill the vacancy to the open position. Staff support for the Task Force shall be provided by the staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technol ogy Education, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Office of Disability Concerns, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Department of Human Services, and the State Use Committee of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide support and information as requested by the Task Force. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB1833 SFLR Page 5 (Bold face denotes Committee Amen dments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for serving on the Task Force, but may r eceive travel reimbursement, contingent on the availability o f private funds for this purpose. F. The Task Force may seek the assistance of the Legislative Service Bureau or the State Board of Education to contract with an independent consultant as necessary to fulfill the duties specified in this section, continge nt on the availability of funds. G. The Task Force shall submit a final report by January 1, 2028, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE AND TOURISM April 15, 2025 - DO PASS