This bill introduces tax credits for businesses that employ and retain neurodiverse individuals in qualifying roles within the fields of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), or artificial intelligence. Specifically, it allows taxpayers to claim a credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax for wages paid to full-time or part-time qualified neurodiverse employees. The credit amount increases based on the number of consecutive years the employee is retained, with a maximum of $7,000 for the first year, $8,000 for the second consecutive year, and $9,000 for the third consecutive year and beyond for full-time employees. For part-time employees, the credit is capped at $4,500 per employee per year.

To qualify for these credits, businesses must submit an application to the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, who will certify whether the employee meets the criteria of being neurodiverse and employed in a qualifying role. The bill also establishes a timeline for the director to review applications and issue certifications, ensuring that if the director does not respond within the specified time, the application is automatically approved. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the confidentiality of the neurodiverse employees' information, allowing for the release of only aggregate statistics that do not identify individuals. The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to tax periods beginning after January 1 following its enactment.