2014 -- H 7663

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LC004457

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

FOR THE DISABLED

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Canario, and Silva

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     (BHDDH)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 37-2.4-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-2.4 entitled

"Habilitation Procurement Program" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     37-2.4-1. Definitions. -- The words defined in this section have the meanings set forth

below whenever they appear in this chapter, unless context in which they are used clearly requires

a different meaning or a different definition as prescribed for a particular section, group of

sections, or provision:

      (1) "Board" means the habilitation procurement board created under this section;

      (2) "Habilitation facility" means a program that is operated primarily for the purpose of

the employment and training of persons with a disability by a government agency or a qualified

organization licensed by the State of Rhode Island providing vocational rehabilitation to support

people with disabilities, and:

      (i) Maintains an employment ratio of at least sixty percent (60%) forty percent (40%) of

the program employees under the procurement contract in question have severe disabilities;

      (ii) Complies with any applicable occupational health and safety standards prescribed by

the United States dDepartment of lLabor or is a supported employment program approved by the

Sstate of Rhode Island office of rehabilitation services;

      (iii) Has its principal place of business in Rhode Island;

      (iv) Produces any goods provided under this section in Rhode Island; and

      (v) The services provided, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, are provided

by individuals with the majority being domiciled residents of the Sstate of Rhode Island.

      (3) "Person with a disability" means any individual who has a severe physical or mental

impairment which that constitutes a substantial barrier to employment, as certified by the

department of human services or the department of behavioral health care, developmental

disabilities and hospitals.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

FOR THE DISABLED

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     This act would lower the minimum acceptable ratio of severely disabled employees that a

habilitation facility must employ from sixty percent (60%) to forty percent (40%).

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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