Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) signed a bill on Thursday that aims to eliminate subminimum wages for disabled employees in the state.
In the U.S., employees are paid a minimum wage ranging from $7.25 to $15 per hour, depending on the state. Many activists have pushed to raise the minimum wage. But under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act , companies and businesses can apply for 14(c) certificates that allow them to pay disabled employees well below that number, with many earning less than $3.50 an hour .
Kansas’ Senate Bill 15 aims to create more employment opportunities for disabled workers in Kansas and incentivize employers to move away from paying them below the minimum wage by using a matching grant program and expanded income tax credit eligibility.
“Kansans with disabilities deserve a fair wage for the work they perform,” Kelly said in a statement “I’m signing this bipartisan legislation to create more opportunities for people with disabilities, grow our workforce, and ensure every Kansan can work with dignity and respect.”