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HB 1833

Labor; creating the Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabilities Task Force; purpose; membership; reporting; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ellyn Hefner and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma creates task force to examine and recommend policy changes regarding subminimum wage practices for workers with disabilities.

Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/13/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 1833

Legislative bill overview

HB 1833 establishes a task force in Oklahoma charged with examining and reconsidering the practice of paying subminimum wages to workers with disabilities. The task force will study current wage practices, gather data, and produce recommendations for potential policy changes regarding this labor practice.

Why is this important

Federal law permits employers to pay workers with disabilities below the minimum wage through Section 14(c) certificates, a practice that affects thousands of disabled workers nationally. This task force represents a potential shift toward reviewing whether Oklahoma should restrict or eliminate subminimum wage policies, directly impacting compensation and labor opportunities for disabled residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer concerns: Businesses utilizing Section 14(c) certificates may worry about increased labor costs if subminimum wages are restricted, potentially affecting business models for sheltered workshops.
  • Disability rights perspectives: Some disability advocates view subminimum wages as exploitative and discriminatory, while others argue such programs provide employment opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
  • Implementation scope: Unclear whether recommendations could require state action beyond federal authority, or whether the task force has adequate resources and timeline for meaningful analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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