ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 995

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 995 (1R).

      This bill requires the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Department of Human Services to conduct a case-by-case assessment of employment offered by community rehabilitation programs and community businesses, including but not limited to, work crews, call centers, employment through contracts under the New Jersey Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act, employment through AbilityOne contracts, and other independent work assignments to determine if the employment opportunity meets the criteria for “competitive integrated employment” under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

      The bill also prohibits the division and the commission from disqualifying work programs from being considered “competitive integrated employment” solely because the programs are provided through AbilityOne contracts or contracts under the “Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside Act,” P.L.1991, c.147 (C.30:6-33 et al.).

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 995 (1R) is identical to Assembly Bill No. 6172 which was also reported by the committee on this date.