Economic Development

* **Why It's Worth Watching:** This bill would redefine “employee” in Kentucky law to include workers in sheltered workshops whose employment begins after January 1, 2024. It also requires new regulations for sheltered workshops (an organization or environment that employs people with disabilities separately from others).
* **What the Bill Attempts to do:** This will provide explicit recognition for individuals working in sheltered workshops to be considered employees (often persons with disabilities). Additionally, it will add new regulations for employers in an environment that is not yet heavily regulated and would defer referrals to sheltered employment from “covered services and supports” by the state.
* **Change from the Status Quo:** This bill should be tracked because it would change the classification of workers in sheltered workshops to “employees” giving persons with disabilities legitimacy within the realm of employment. This should be tracked also because it would assist in eventually phasing out sheltered workshops. This view is controversial among disability employment experts.
* **Problem it is Trying to Solve:** This would save state reimbursement rates for day training for businesses supporting sheltered employment. However, by phasing out sheltered workshops this

could also phase out a means for people with disabilities to access employment.

* **Comparison to Other States:** Many states have already phased out sheltered employment as this bill proposes.
* **Politics of the Bill:** Sponsors: *Alvarado , Ralph (28th District- R- Montogomery, Clark, Fayette (Part))*

* **History:**
	+ *Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (S)*
	+ *Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - introduced in Senate*
	+ *Thursday, December 12, 2019 - Prefiled by the sponsor(s).*

* **Amendments:**
	+ *There are No Amendments for this Bill.*

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/20RS/SB53/bill.pdf

***SB 173- AN ACT relating to employment and substance use disorder treatment***

* **Why it’s worth watching:** This bill takes steps towards addressing the opioid crisis and keeping Kentuckians employed while providing treatment for substance use disorder. This falls under economic development because when Kentuckians are employed, they are able to spend money on goods and services, education, and which all benefit economic development.
* **What the bill attempts to do:** The bill's goal is to encourage the employment of workers by requiring employers to provide an assessment of someone who has failed a drug test so they can refer educational programs substance abuse treatment options. This bill also aims to provide training to employers on signs and symptoms of abuse.
* **Change from status quo:** Currently, if an employee tests positive on a drug test, they may be put on probation or terminated. Some employers may offer rehabilitation but there is currently no law on how to enforce it. This bill will be a new section of KRS Chapter 222.
* **Problem it’s trying to solve:** Trying to keep Kentuckians employed and provide education and treatment on substance use.
* **Comparison to Other States:** Many state’s policies say an employer has the right to discipline or remove the employee from his/her position, but 8 states have follow-up rehabilitation programs, including Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont (ACLU, 2020). With this bill, Kentucky will be joining other southern states but also being a leader in the nation given only 8 others currently use rehabilitation programs.
* **Politics of the Bill:** *Sponsors: Senator Matt Castlen (8th District-R-Daviess, Hancock, McLean) & Senator Whitney Westerfield (3rd District- R- Christian, Logan, Todd).*
* **History:**
	+ *Thursday, March 5, 2020 - floor amendment (3) filed to Committee Substitute*
	+ *Thursday, March 5, 2020 - 2nd reading, to Rules*
	+ *Wednesday, March 4, 2020 - floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute, floor amendment (2) filed to bill*
	+ *Wednesday, March 4, 2020 - reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)*
	+ *Wednesday, February 26, 2020 - reassigned to Health & Welfare (S)*
	+ *Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - to Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (S)*
	+ *Thursday, February 13, 2020 - introduced in Senate*

* **Amendments:**
	+ ***SCS**- Make technical changes to conform.*
	+ ***SFA1**(Schickel, John) - Amend Senate Bill 173 to include disclosure of information by court order and clarify employer liability.*
	+ ***SFA2**(Schickel, John) - Amend Senate Bill 173 to include disclosure of information by court order and clarify employer liability.*
	+ ***SFA3**(Schickel, John) - Amend Senate Bill 173 to include disclosure of information by court order and clarify employer liability.*

https://secure.kentucky.gov/billwatch/BillSummary.aspx?br\_rsn=45719&ses\_rsn=104