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Contentious testimony at Senate hearing as committee advances Extended Employment Modernization bill
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Summary
S-4004, a wide-ranging update to New Jersey’s extended employment law, advanced from committee after hours of testimony. Supporters including providers and families said it modernizes a 1971 law and preserves choice; Disability Rights New Jersey and family advocates warned it could expand subminimum‑wage settings and reduce safeguards.
After several hours of testimony and sharply divided public comment, the Senate Labor Committee voted to release S‑4004 as amended. The bill seeks to modernize statutes governing extended employment for people with significant disabilities, change eligibility rules, clarify provider responsibilities and require additional reporting.
Access New Jersey and many providers testified in strong support. Mohsin Badran, president and CEO of Access New Jersey, said the bill updates an authorizing statute last revised in 1971, provides clarity for oversight, ties baseline funding adjustments to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI‑W) and preserves participants’ choice. Provider witnesses described extended employment as a ‘‘lifeline’’ for adults with significant disabilities, offering a low‑pressure environment, social skills and stable routines.
Participants and family members gave personal testimony about how extended employment programs give meaning, structure and opportunity. Multiple speakers described long tenures at programs such as Employment Horizons and the Arc work centers and urged the committee not to remove those options.
Opponents, led by Disability Rights New Jersey (testimony by Susan Head), raised multiple concerns. They said the bill lowers the eligibility threshold from ‘‘severe’’ to ‘‘significant’’ disability, which they argued could funnel individuals into sheltered workshops prematurely. Disability Rights NJ presented state Department of Labor data showing only about 1.95 percent of sheltered‑workshop participants obtained competitive integrated employment in 2019 (and 0.72 percent in 2020), and argued the bill could expand the scope of subminimum wage (14(c)) practices in ways that may conflict with federal law and national trends phasing out such certificates. The organization also criticized requirements that would have the Department of Labor consult with Access New Jersey on policy changes, calling that a potential conflict of interest.
Family advocates added vivid accounts alleging years of low pay in sheltered workshops, raising questions about transparency, administrative oversight and whether statutory changes would create a guaranteed revenue stream for intermediaries. Supporters and opponents sparred on whether the bill’s changes would protect choice and dignity or entrench segregated, subsidized settings.
Committee members acknowledged the controversy, noted sponsor amendments and the sponsor’s willingness to continue engagement. After discussion, the committee voted to amend and release S‑4004. Senators Paulistina, Steinhardt, Moriarty, Vice Chair Zwicker and Chairman Johnson recorded yes votes on the roll call.
