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Minutes for SB308 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Establishing a state employment preference for persons with disabilities.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 21, 2023
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 308. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill and responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Kathy Lobb, Private Citizen, testified as a proponent of the bill. This bill is called "Kathy's Bill" as she has been advocating for this for 21 years. She would like to see people with disabilities included in government at the state and local level. Ms. Lobb responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 3)
Robert Cooper, Executive Director, Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, testified in support of the bill. The state's current Employment First initiative did not maximize the leverage to increase opportunities for interviews for qualified job applicants who also have a disability. If they can just get the interview the chances are greater. He has some concerns with the documentation requirements as many deaf and hard of hearing individuals generally do not use any of the the three service avenues as listed in the bill so he would like to see some other ways to verify disability. (Attachment 4)
Martha Gabehart, Executive Director, Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, stood in favor of the bill. Kansas passed the Employment First law in 2011. The Employment First Oversight Commission has consistently recommended that Kansas needs to be a model employer of people with disabilities and this bill would make that happen. Ms. Gabehart responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 5)
Shanna Groves, Board Member, Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, spoke as a proponent of the bill. As a former special education teacher with a disability of hearing loss she found it was difficult to obtain accommodations. She was put on a performance plan after she tried to advocate for her rights and for reasonable accommodations. According to the Job Accommodation Network a high percentage of accommodations cost nothing, while the rest of the accommodations had a typical cost of $500. This bill would allow for preference so, when she interviews, her disability would not be used against her and would require reasonable accommodations. (Attachment 6)
Craig Knutson, Policy Analyst, spoke on behalf of Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director, Kansas Developmental Disabilities Council. The Council is in support of the bill as it will help solve the unemployment crisis for our disabled community. Kansas has been a recognized leader in crafting legislation to help create more competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities. We must continue to be leaders in opening doors in the public and private sectors. We must afford the opportunity for those with disabilities to succeed in the workforce and earn a real and fair wage. Mr. Knutson responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 7)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Ronda Hubbard, Private Citizen (Attachment 8)
Mike Burgess, Disability Rights Center (Attachment 9)
Kraig Knowlton, Director of Personnel Services, Department of Administration (Attachment 10)
Barb Conant and Sean Gatewood, KanCare Advocates Network (Attachment 11)
Mike Kelly, Military Officers Association of America (Attachment 12)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 308.
