Our View of the Legislature: Employment

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The 2021 legislative session began today at noon!   One of the first things the legislature will do is to adopt a resolution that establishes all the deadlines and rules for the session itself.  Although the state constitution says this should be a 30 day session, the operating resolution may extend that to 45 days or later.

We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals.  Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following.  Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.

We are monitoring legislation that will impact the employment of people with disabilities.  Because the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is always far in excess of the general population’s unemployment rate, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia considers these reforms to be of vital importance to our community.

HB 1848, offered by Delegate Sickles, extends state protections against employment discrimination to individuals with disabilities.  In 2020, the legislature passed sweeping protections against discrimination for many classifications, but neglected to include people with disabilities.  Delegate Sickle’s bill seeks to correct that oversight.

Delegate Guzman has proposed HB 2140, which establishes an alternate application process in state employment for people with disabilities and creates a program to hire and train such employees.

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia’s mission is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.   Please continue to check back here for regular updates on developments in the legislature.