SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Senator Walker)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct an interim committee study to examine the effects on the citizens of West Virginia by the implementation of the adoption of United States House of Representatives Resolution No. 1180, relating to the Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.

Whereas, The employment of all citizens, including individuals with disabilities, is a concern of the Legislature; and
Whereas, The unemployment rate among West Virginia citizens with disabilities is seventy-nine percent; and
Whereas, The adoption of House Resolution No. 1180, known as the Social Security Ticket-to-Work and Works Incentives Improvement Act, promotes and expands the employment options of individuals with disabilities who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits while allowing them to work and retain their health care benefits; and
Whereas, There are currently 50,097 West Virginians receiving SSI/SSDI benefits who are of employable age; and
Whereas, A primary impediment to employment for individuals with disabilities is the fear of losing health care coverage; and
Whereas, The Legislature believes the full employment of all West Virginians is critical and the state should explore all options available to all its citizens; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the implementation of House Resolution No. 1180 in West Virginia in order to ensure that all provisions of the law are implemented to the betterment of all citizens of West Virginia and, most especially, those citizens with disabilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should appoint a subcommittee composed of nine members, including three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; three members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three members who are persons with disabilities whose lives could be impacted by the provisions of House Resolution No. 1180, appointed in consultation with the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2001, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.