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House approves bill to phase out subminimum wage programs for people with disabilities
Summary
The Georgia House on March 19 approved Senate Bill 55, which directs remaining programs that pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage to phase in payment to the federal minimum over a transition period. The measure passed overwhelmingly after lawmakers discussed safeguards for benefits and transition supports.
The Georgia House of Representatives on March 19 approved Senate Bill 55, a measure to end longstanding programs that pay some workers with disabilities substantially less than the standard wage.
Chairlady Cooper introduced the bill on behalf of Senator Hickman and said the programs were originally intended to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain employment, but in some cases had evolved into “slave workshop” arrangements paying as little as 22 cents an hour. The bill requires remaining programs to adapt and use a two‑year federal assistance period to raise wages toward the federal minimum, which Cooper said would be $7.50 under the terms described in debate.
The bill’s supporters said the measure restores pay and dignity for participants while including safeguards so beneficiaries do not lose federal benefits. Representative Jasmine Clark asked whether increases in earned income could cause recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to lose benefits; Cooper said the bill and existing state tools — including ABLE accounts — protect SSI, Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.
“This bill is about dignity and fairness and making sure that people with disabilities are paid at least what we consider the bare minimum wage for all other workers,” Chairlady Cooper said.
Debate included several members thanking the sponsors and describing positive employer outcomes when integrated employment is pursued. The House approved the bill by a recorded vote: yeas 163, nays 2, and the measure passed the requisite constitutional majority.
Supporters noted that roughly eight of the roughly 60 such programs remain in Georgia and that most currently pay well below the federal minimum; proponents said the two‑year transition and federal assistance would help providers convert business models.
The bill was introduced from the Senate and reported to the House for consideration; it passed on third reading with the recorded tally noted above.
Lawmakers did not specify implementation dates beyond the two‑year transition described during debate and did not list individual program names on the House floor during discussion.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 55 — Passed, yeas 163, nays 2.
