A bill that would allow Utah's human resource directors to use an alternate approach to field job candidates with disabilities narrowly passed the Senate today in a 16-11 vote.
HB17, sponsored by Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, allows state employers to deviate from the regular hiring process and give workers with disabilities a six-month on-the-job trial period.
While some senators opposed the measure because it seemed to give preferential treatment to people with disabilities, Senate sponsor Dan Liljenquist said that most hiring procedures take place by computer, which would immediately exclude the sight-impaired.
"This gives an alternate way to at least examine the person outside the regular process," Liljenquist said.
HB17 now goes to the governor.
