Policy and Regulation Update 2019 RAISE Summit Ron Hager, NDRN Managing Attorney May 6, 2019

The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 Gradually raise federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over next six years Index future increases in federal minimum wage to median wage growth Guarantees tipped workers are paid at least full federal minimum wage Guarantees teen workers are paid at least full federal minimum wage Ends subminimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities

Transformation to Competitive Employment Act Create competitive state grant program to assist states to transition all 14(c) certificate holders to models that support competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities Create competitive grant program for current 14(c) certificate holders, located in states that do not apply for state grant, to transition their business models to support individuals with disabilities in competitive, integrated employment Immediately freeze issuance of any new 14(c) certificates by DOL, and phase out the use of existing 14(c) certificates over 6 years until employees are paid federal minimum wage

Transformation to Competitive Employment Act Establish TA center to support all entities, even those not receiving transformation grants, to transition to competitive integrated employment TA center, funded by DOL, tasked with disseminating information about best practices, lessons learned, and models for transition to all entities transitioning to competitive, integrated employment Require reporting and evaluation on progress of creating and expanding service delivery structure to support workers with disabilities in competitive integrated settings and inclusive wraparound services they receive when not working

Keeping All Students Safe Act Introduced last Congress Expected to be re-introduced this Congress Eliminates use of seclusion Limits use of restraint to preventing serious physical injury to self or others Requires parental notification and debriefing Data collection Resources for staff development

Improving Access to Higher Education Act Included within larger higher education reauthorization bill in last Congress Competitive grants to train faculty, staff, and administrators in teaching methods and strategies, implementing accommodations, effective transition practices, distance learning, and career pathway guidance Requires office of accessibility and outlines responsibilities of that office, including transparency and dissemination of information related to accommodations and adopting policies that support students with disabilities in obtaining accommodations

Improving Access to Higher Education Act New grant program to implement UDL across entire institution or within a distance learning program, making all aspects of college more accessible for students with disabilities Commission to develop guidelines to provide high-quality instructional materials and technologies to students with disabilities, especially students who are blind or have vision loss Expand Higher Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Improve Data Collection and Closed Captioning Training

Competitive Integrated Employment Regulation Included as part of WIOA implementing regulations in 2016 Effort to get ED to revise definition of “integrated” Currently requires full integration with workers without disabilities in all phases of work Does not allow disability only work units Must be at a location typically found in the community