HB660 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Individuals with disabilities, promotion of employment by state programs and services, Alabama Employment First Initiative Act

Summary

HB660 creates the Alabama Employment First Initiative to promote competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities and to coordinate state programs to support that goal.

What This Bill Does

Sets competitive, integrated employment as the preferred outcome for working-age individuals with disabilities in state services. Requires state agencies to coordinate, collaborate, and share data where feasible, and to adopt rules to implement the act. Designates the Alabama Department of Mental Health as the lead agency to coordinate the effort across agencies. Clarifies that employers are not required to give hiring preference to individuals with disabilities.

Who It Affects

• Individuals with disabilities seeking employment, who would be guided toward competitive, integrated jobs.
• State agencies and their employment-support programs, which must coordinate, share data, and implement the act.
• Employers, who are not required to prioritize hiring people with disabilities but operate within the policy framework.

Key Provisions

• Definitions of competitive employment (full/part-time work in the competitive labor market, paid at or above minimum wage and not less than the customary wage for similar work) and integrated setting (interaction with non-disabled individuals in community settings).
• Policy that competitive and integrated employment is the first option for employment services for persons with disabilities, without requiring employers to give preference.
• Requirement for state agencies to coordinate efforts, collaborate, and share information to track progress toward full implementation; agencies may adopt rules to carry out the act.
• Designation of the Alabama Department of Mental Health as the lead coordinating agency.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after it is enacted.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Individuals with Disabilities