Governor Maggie Hassan has signed into law a measure banning employers, in most
cases, from paying workers with disabilities at a rate lower than the minimum wage.
Decades ago sub-minimum wages were considered a way to help individuals with
disabilities find work. But advocates say those wages have been used to exploit workers
instead.
The governor said it’s fitting New Hampshire should be the first to ban sub-minimum
wages, because the state has a long tradition of greater inclusion over time: “This
generational progress toward including every single one of us into the heart and soul of
our democracy, our communities, our economy, has a great ripple effect, not only for
individuals and not only for their families, but for our economy, too.”
The governor says New Hampshire has been getting calls from other states about the
law. While no New Hampshire employers had been paying a sub-minimum wage,
disabilities rights groups have estimated more than 400,000 workers with disabilities
are paid such wages nationwide.
The law includes an exception for some training programs and for family-owned
businesses.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org
