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HB240 >> A Garland lawmaker says she's dedicated to helping the disabled find employment despite budget challenges that threaten social service funding.
Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland, is sponsoring legislation that would require three government agencies to make a priority of helping the disabled obtain "meaningful and gainful" employment.
Her bill, HB240, passed unanimously out of a committee Wednesday and was sent to the House floor for a possible vote.
Menlove hopes her legislation sends a message to budget cutters and others that they should protect programs aimed at bettering the chances for the disabled to find a job. A prime example, she says, is the supported employment project within the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD).
The project now helps 55 mentally or physically challenged Utahns get job coaching, reducing their dependency on taxpayer dollars.
"Because there is no priority for this…anywhere in code, supported employment is always on the chopping block," said Menlove.
The agency is facing more than $3 million in possible cuts being considered by the Joint Social Services Appropriation subcommittee.
Menlove also believes the legislation will help reduce a waiting list for services at DSPD.
At Wednesday's hearing, Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, said he worried that putting the employment priority in legislative language might change the way the DSPD handles its waiting list. But Menlove said she is not concerned because agencies helped create the legislation.
This bill also affects the Department of Workforce Services and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, which have similar, employment-related services.
The Box Elder County lawmaker plans to ask for a $150,000 budget supplement to the DSPD project later in the session.