{"AmendmentNumber":"172","ParentBillNumber":"H5562","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"D_B1","Name":"David Biele","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/D_B1","ResponseDate":"2026-07-06T13:52:37.213"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Representatives Biele of Boston and Hunt of Boston move to amend the bill by adding the following section:\r\n\r\n\"SECTION XX.  Chapter 7 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 38P the following section-\r\n\r\nSection 38Q. (a)  Any contract issued for services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any political subdivision therein that receives appropriated funds from the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall employ up to 3% of individuals with disabilities hired within such contract. This section shall apply to contractors employing 75 or more full-time equivalents.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contract, the Supplier Diversity Office in consultation with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, MassAbility (formerly the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission) and the Department of Developmental Services shall implement and regulate said law. Such agencies have deep familiarity with the disability community and facilitate employment programs, inclusive of assessments and job skill-building, that will ensure qualified candidates with disabilities are prepared for the rigors of competitive employment with a state vendor.  In addition, said agencies will arrange for employment ongoing support services for all individuals with disabilities hired through a vast array of non-profit employment providers located throughout the Commonwealth.\r\n\r\n(b) Such services shall include but not be limited to janitorial and custodial services, landscaping services, mailroom services, food services, fleet management, manufacturing, trash removal, document destruction, electronic scanning of documents and facility management services, including but not limited to HVAC services, painting, landscaping, emergency repair services and snow removal.  Job categories which require advanced training certifications and education may be exempt absent successful completion of said training.\r\n\r\n(c ) For purposes of this section, an “individual with a disability” shall mean a person who has been determined eligible for employment, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, or day or employment services through MassAbility, the Department of Developmental Services, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, or any successor agency responsible for providing employment-related services to individuals with disabilities in the Commonwealth.  Such determination of eligibility shall constitute sufficient evidence of disability for purposes of compliance with this section.\r\n\r\n(d) The percentage requirements shall be met within one year of award of such contract, and steps shall be taken to minimize the displacement of any workers already providing the services of such contract.\"\r\n\r\n"}