Senate committee advances bill to phase out 14(c) subminimum wages for people with disabilities

The Senate Insurance and Labor Committee on a voice/hand vote advanced Senate Bill 55, the "Dignity and Pay Act," which would phase out use of Fair Labor Standards Act section 14(c) certificates that allow some employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.

The bill, presented to the committee by Senator Billy Hickman, passed out of the committee unanimously after public testimony both supporting and opposing the measure. Senator Kirkpatrick made the motion to pass; Senator Robertson seconded and the committee approved the motion by unanimous signaled vote.

Supporters said SB 55 would restore wages and opportunity for Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Charlotte Dinsmore, executive director of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, told the committee: "This bill is about stopping certain employers from paying people with physical, mental mental disability less than federal minimum wage." Dinsmore said roughly 250 Georgians…