 | | | AB 925: Workforce Inclusion Act:
Frequently Asked Questions | | | | | | | | |
1) What is AB 925? |
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AB 925 is a California state law designed to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The law requires state agencies to work together in new ways to improve service delivery and oversight, and it guarantees important new services to certain individuals.
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2) Is AB 925 an insurance or entitlement program? |
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No. AB 925 is not insurance or an entitlement program. It is a new policy framework that state partners can work in and contribute to.
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3) With the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in place, why is a new state law needed? |
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AB 925 is state framework to reach objectives laid down in the Americans with Disabilities Act. It addresses barriers to employment and health care services and assigns specific duties to state agencies.
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4) Does AB 925 pay for more IHSS hours? |
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No. Although AB 925 allows IHSS hours to be used in the workplace under certain circumstances, it does not provide additional hours.
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5) What does AB 925 say about accessibility and One Stop Centers? |
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Under AB 925, each Local Workforce Investment Board must provide at least one One Stop Career Center that is in full compliance with federal rules for serving people with disabilities. |
6) If I use personal assistance at work, can my employer take away some of the other accommodations he or she has made for me? |
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AB 925 states that “workplace services shall not be used to supplant (replace) any reasonable accommodations required of an employer by the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other legal entitlements or third-party obligations.” Such services could come from the California Department of Rehabilitation, the Veterans’ Administration, workers' compensation coverage or other entitlement or resource.
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7) How does AB 925 help find employment for people with disabilities? |
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AB 925 establishes a grant making program that targets grants to counties and local workforce investment boards. The grants can be used to:
- develop local strategies for enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and
- fund comprehensive local and regional benefits planning and outreach programs to assist persons with disabilities.
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8) How does AB 925 affect my use of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)? |
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Under AB 925, recipients of California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) can use available personal assistance service hours at their place of employment, if certain conditions are met. However, AB 925 does not increase the number of monthly service hours available under IHSS, nor allow them to be used in other new locations. |
9) What is the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD)? |
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The Governor's Committee is charged with certain grant making and policy “consult and advise” responsibilities to enhance the state's overall effectiveness at increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Governor’s Committee must include at least four members with disabilities. |
10) What must state Agencies do under AB 925? |
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The Labor and Workforce Development Agency has new responsibilities to monitor, enforce and report to the Governor and Legislature on workforce inclusion of people with disabilities. A prime area of responsibility is how One Stop Career Centers are serving people with disabilities without discrimination.
The California Workforce Investment Board in Sacramento and Local Workforce Investment Boards statewide are required to include people with disabilities, or their representatives. Efforts need to be made to select people with disabilities as Board members who are not employees of state or local government.
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