Congress moves to end subminimum wages for workers with disabilities
H.R. 4771 — Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act · Filed by Bobby Scott (D-VA) · 8 cosponsors · Introduced Jul 25, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill phases out 'special certificates' under federal law that allow employers to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage. It creates grant programs to help employers transition to paying all workers—including those with disabilities—at least minimum wage or the customary rate for similar work, while providing support services to help workers succeed in competitive integrated employment. The bill mandates a 4-year wage phase-in (starting at 60% of minimum wage, reaching 100% by year 4) and a complete sunset of special certificates after that period.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is eliminating subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities and mandating transition to competitive integrated employment at fair wages. This is fundamentally a worker-protection and civil-rights measure, not a market-driven or corporate-benefit bill.
What the text implies
- The 4-year phase-in (60%→70%→80%→90%→100% of minimum wage) means workers with disabilities will continue earning below minimum wage for years 1–4, potentially delaying full wage equity despite the bill's stated intent.
- Grant funding ($2M–$10M per state, $100K–$500K per employer) may be insufficient to cover full transformation costs, potentially shifting burden to states or employers and affecting service quality during transition.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
nonprofit disability employment organizations; workforce development agencies; state vocational rehabilitation agencies