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Committee advances bill to phase out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities in Georgia
Summary
Lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 55, the "Dignity and Pay Act," which would phase out use of Fair Labor Standards Act Section 14(c) certificates in Georgia over two years, raising wages for affected workers to the federal minimum; advocates and disability‑rights groups testified in support.
A Georgia legislative committee on Monday unanimously advanced Senate Bill 55 (LC 550416), a measure that would phase out use of Section 14(c) certificates under the Fair Labor Standards Act and require community rehabilitation programs that currently pay subminimum wages to raise those workers' pay to at least the federal minimum over a two‑year period.
"This bill is about stopping certain employers ... from paying people with physical and mental disabilities less than federal minimum wage," Senator Hickman told the committee, introducing the measure the hearing referred to as the "Dignity and Pay Act."
Testimony and documents submitted to the committee said roughly 250 Georgians working for community rehabilitation programs are still paid under 14(c) certificates, with some wages reported as low as 22¢ an hour. The sponsor said the bill would not…
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