Ayotte Introduces Bill to Support Workers with Disabilities

Press Release

Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced the Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act (S. 2001) to end discriminatory wage practices that put workers with disabilities at a disadvantage when seeking competitive and meaningful employment.

"My home state of New Hampshire has been a leader in supporting and empowering workers with disabilities, and recently became the first state in the country to ban discriminatory wage practices that put workers with disabilities at a disadvantage," Senator Ayotte said. "This legislation will project New Hampshire's leadership on the issue throughout the country, ensuring that workers with disabilities are treated equally and do not have to work in an environment where their wages and expectations are lower than those of workers without disabilities. Twenty-five years after enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities are now able to live quality lives and achieve their full potential. Women and men with disabilities also deserve the opportunity to participate in the workforce and seek competitive, integrated, and meaningful employment on a level equal to their peers who do not have a disability. I'm grateful to the National Federation of the Blind for their advocacy on this important issue and their support of my legislation."

The TIME Act would repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, ending the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) as H.R. 188.

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