Oklahoma § 40-365 - Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with

§ 40-365. Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with

Disabilities Task Force — Members — Responsibilities — Report.

A. There is hereby created until November 1, 2027, the

Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabilities Task

Force.

B. The Task Force shall study and develop a plan to phase out

the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages

under 14(c) certificate programs in Oklahoma. The Task Force shall

study, review, and make recommendations on the following, with a

focus on transitioning workers with disabilities currently being

paid subminimum wages under 14(c) certificates to competitive,

integrated employment at or above minimum wage, and when

appropriate, alternative meaningful day programs for those not able

or wanting to move to competitive, integrated employment:

1. Identify potential obstacles and negative impacts of phasing

out subminimum wages and 14(c) use in Oklahoma; and

2. Develop a plan for phasing out subminimum wages and 14(c)

use in Oklahoma that:

a.

reduces potential negative impacts and maximizes the

potential for successful transition to competitive,

integrated employment,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 40. Labor

b.

includes alternative meaningful day programs for those

individuals who do not wish to transition to

competitive, integrated employment or for those for

whom it is not appropriate, and

c.

establishes an appropriate timeline for phasing out

subminimum wages.

C. The Task Force shall consist of eleven (11) members as

follows:

1. The Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development;

2. A member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, appointed

by the Speaker of the House;

3. A member of the Oklahoma State Senate, appointed by the

President Pro Tempore;

4. A representative from the Oklahoma Disability Law Center,

appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate;

5. A representative from the Oklahoma state chapter of the

Association of People Supporting Employment First, appointed by the

Speaker of the House;

6. A self-advocate who is currently enrolled or previously

employed at subminimum wage, appointed by the Board of the Oklahoma

Developmental Disabilities Council;

7. A parent or family member of a person with a disability who

has successfully transitioned from subminimum wage to competitive,

integrated employment, appointed by the Board of the Oklahoma

Developmental Disabilities Council;

8. A director of a program who previously held a 14(c)

certificate and successfully transitioned to community integrated

employment, appointed by the Governor;

9. A private employer who employs individuals with

disabilities, appointed by the Governor;

10. The Director of the Department of Human Services

Developmental Disabilities Services or his or her designee; and

11. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation

Services or his or her designee.

D. The member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the

member of the Oklahoma State Senate shall serve as co-chairs of the

Task Force. Appointments to the Task Force shall be made within

thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. Meetings of

the Task Force shall be held at the call of either co-chair of the

Task Force. Members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing

authorities. A majority of the members of the Task Force shall

constitute a quorum to transact business, but no vacancy shall

impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the

powers of the Task Force. Except as otherwise provided, a vacancy

on the Task Force shall be filled by the original appointing

authority. If the original appointing authority fails to make an

appointment within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 40. Labor

act, a majority of the members of the Task Force who have been

appointed may fill the vacancy to the open position. Staff support

for the Task Force shall be provided by the staff of the Oklahoma

House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate. The

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma

State Regents for Higher Education, Office of Disability Concerns,

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma Health Care

Authority, Department of Human Services, and the State Use Committee

of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide

support and information as requested by the Task Force.

E. Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for

serving on the Task Force, but may receive travel reimbursement,

contingent on the availability of private funds for this purpose.

F. The Task Force may seek the assistance of the Legislative

Service Bureau or the State Board of Education to contract with an

independent consultant as necessary to fulfill the duties specified

in this section, contingent on the availability of funds.

G. The Task Force shall submit a final report by January 1,

2028, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma

State Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of

Representatives.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 182, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.