(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Community employment" means competitive employment that takes place in an integrated setting.

(2) "Competitive employment" means full-time or part-time work in the competitive labor market in which payment is at or above the minimum wage but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by persons who are not disabled.

(3) "Integrated setting" means a setting typically found in the community where individuals with developmental disabilities interact with individuals who do not have disabilities to the same extent that individuals in comparable positions who are not disabled interact with other individuals, including in employment settings in which employees interact with the community through technology.

(B) It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities be directed at community employment. Every individual with a developmental disability is presumed capable of community employment.

The departments of developmental disabilities, education, medicaid, job and family services, and mental health and addiction services; the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency; and each other state agency that provides employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities shall implement the policy of this state and ensure that it is followed whenever employment services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities.

The department of developmental disabilities shall coordinate the actions taken by state agencies to comply with the state's policy. Agencies shall collaborate within their divisions and with each other to ensure that state programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment of individuals with developmental disabilities. State agencies shall share information with the department, and the department shall track progress toward full implementation of the policy. The department, in coordination with any task force established by the governor, shall compile data and annually submit to the governor a report on implementation of the policy.

The department and state agencies may adopt rules to implement the state's policy.

(C) The state's policy articulated in this section is intended to promote the right of each individual with a developmental disability to informed choice; however, nothing in this section requires any employer to give preference in hiring to an individual because the individual has a disability.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.128, SB 316, §101.01, eff. 9/24/2012.