FILED SENATE
Apr 4, 2023
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
S.B. 578
SESSION 2023 PRINCIPAL CLERK
S D
SENATE BILL DRS45180-MR-14
Short Title: State as a Model Employer/IDD. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Moffitt, Krawiec, and Corbin (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, IN
3 CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF STATE HUMAN RESOURCES, TO STUDY
4 THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE
5 THE EMPLOYMENT BY STATE AGENCIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES,
6 INCLUDING TARGETING EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH
7 INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AS RECOMMENDED BY
8 THE 2017-2018 LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION COMMITTEE ON
9 INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
10 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
11 SECTION 1. The Department of Health and Human Services (Department), in
12 consultation with the Office of State Human Resources, shall study the development and
13 implementation of a comprehensive, statewide program that establishes the State as a model
14 employer in the employment of individuals with disabilities. The goals of the program shall
15 include (i) increasing disability inclusion and access to State agency employment, (ii) specifically
16 targeting an increase in the employment by State agencies of individuals with intellectual and
17 developmental disabilities, and (iii) demonstrating to local government and private sector
18 employers the viability and effectiveness of employing individuals with disabilities. As part of
19 its study, the Department shall solicit the input of key stakeholders, including other relevant State
20 agencies and organizations.
21 SECTION 2. In studying the development of a statewide program that establishes
22 the State as a model employer for individuals with disabilities, the Department, in consultation
23 with the Office of State Human Resources, shall examine existing programs in other states and
24 shall consider the feasibility of implementing a comprehensive program in North Carolina that
25 contains at least one or more of the following components, including expanding on existing
26 programs:
27 (1) Targeting hiring efforts through the Office of State Human Resources,
28 including fast-track hiring policies that augment or streamline existing agency
29 practices, trial work periods before offering permanent employment,
30 preemployment certification through the Department for State employment,
31 State agency internships, specific eligibility lists for hiring managers, and
32 mandatory interview opportunities.
33 (2) Focusing on recruitment and outreach efforts to identify and attract skilled
34 individuals with disabilities for State employment.
35 (3) Enhancing accessibility to State employment applications and the steps in the
36 hiring process.
*DRS45180-MR-14*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023
1 (4) Developing explicit, reasonable workplace accommodation guidelines that
2 include managing costs and providing a request process that encourages
3 individuals with disabilities to apply for State employment.
4 (5) Building upon existing State personnel training programs to further encourage
5 inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
6 (6) Enabling data collection for evaluation and oversight of the State's
7 employment practices for hiring individuals with disabilities.
8 (7) Increasing public and private partnerships to further develop work-based
9 opportunities leading to State employment, such as Project SEARCH.
10 SECTION 3. By December 1, 2023, the Department, in consultation with the Office
11 of State Human Resources, shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee
12 on Health and Human Services on the results of the study required by this act, including any
13 legislative recommendations.
14 SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law.
Page 2 DRS45180-MR-14