AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

HB 7187 requires Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management to implement six specific recommendations from a 2024 report on employment programs for people with disabilities. The bill directs the state to assess pilot grants for mid-sized businesses covering accommodation costs, expand transitional workforce services for youth with disabilities, evaluate tax credits for hiring disabled employees with health coverage, and create a public disability employment toolkit with resources and ADA information. It also mandates listing employers promoting inclusive workplaces and analyzing data to identify employment service needs. The implementation will cost approximately $772,500 in fiscal year 2026, primarily for consultant services and new internships. The bill directly affects businesses (especially mid-sized employers), people with disabilities seeking jobs, and state agencies like Developmental Services.