FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 05, 2026
Time Requested: 04:33 PM |
| Agency: |
Rehabilitation Services, WV Division of |
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| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 3259 |
Introduced |
HB5256 |
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|---|
| CBD Subject: |
|
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FUND(S):
Federal
Sources of Revenue:
Other Fund Federal
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of HB 5256, in part, is to provide for fair pay and maximized employment of disabled persons; create a state “Employment First” policy that encourages agencies to facilitate employment of disabled persons; and remove current exemption for paying minimum wages to persons in nonprofit workshops. To this end, the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is already conducting activities of this nature in its mission to enable and empower individuals with disabilities to work and to live independently by providing individualized services to consumers and employers, consistent with consumers’ informed choice.
DRS uses an “Employment First” approach with consumers, actively moving with them toward a goal of competitive, integrated employment. Likewise, DRS is in compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regarding efforts to minimize Sheltered Workshop employment for individuals with disabilities by providing the individuals employed at such Workshops with information regarding competitive, integrated employment and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. As of February 2023, there are a minimal number of individuals with disabilities employed at Sheltered Workshops in the State of West Virginia.
To establish a taskforce for the purpose of developing recommendations on implementation of an Employment First Policy, the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services will be expected to spend zero dollars. The financial impact for agencies, including DRS, of the implementation of a joint Employment First Policy and plan would be determined following the establishment of the taskforce, pursuant to HB 5256.
Current DRS practice is to involve the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Resources, and Workforce to the extent possible in serving individuals with disabilities. Over the past two years, DRS has facilitated training opportunities for partner agencies to gain an understanding of services provided to achieve the goal of competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
Note that this PARTIAL Fiscal Note highlights the projected costs to DRS following the passage of HB 5256. Additional costs to other agencies and contributors to the proposed taskforce cannot be ascertained by DRS at this time.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Please explain increases and decreases in personal services, current expenses, repairs and alterations, assets, other costs and revenues, including assumptions and data sources and delineation between start-up and ongoing costs. Please also include a long-range schedule of costs and revenues if fiscal impact is expected to vary in future years.
Memorandum
Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Michelle James
Email Address: Michell.D.James@wv.gov