Job accommodation request form required for an employee with a known disability upon request.
Impact
If enacted, HF3383 will amend Minnesota Statutes Section 363A.08 by detailing the obligations of employers, employee agencies, and labor organizations in accommodating employees with disabilities. This will provide a systematic approach to ensure that these entities take appropriate actions when accommodating their employees, thereby affording them better workplace rights and protections. The outlined accommodations aim to facilitate an inclusive working environment for individuals with disabilities, thereby promoting employment equity.
Summary
House File 3383 mandates the requirement of a job accommodation request form for employees with known disabilities. This legislation is aimed at streamlining the process through which employees can request reasonable accommodations at their workplace. The bill modifies existing law to ensure that businesses engage in an interactive process with the employee to identify the limitations arising from their disability and deemed potential reasonable accommodations that may include modified work schedules or the provision of aids.
Contention
However, the proposal could spark concerns among employers regarding the potential for increased liabilities or stringent requirements to provide accommodations. Critics might argue that this places an undue burden on smaller businesses, impacting operational efficiencies and financial considerations. Such employers may express fear of having to navigate between compliance and the inherent costs associated with various accommodations, especially if the required provisions are deemed significant.
Requires employment entities to engage in cooperative dialogue with persons requesting reasonable accommodations, or who such employment entities reasonably should have known may require such reasonable accommodations, due to disability, religion, or status as a victim of domestic violence.
School districts required to adopt policies and processes to assist parents who require language assistance, and reasonable accommodations for parents of children with disabilities required.
Establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program under which eligible employers may request a grant for reimbursement of expenses made for reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability; establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund for payment of such grants; makes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such program.
Establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement grant program under which eligible employers may request a grant for reimbursement of expenses made for reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with a disability; establishes a reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund for payment of such grants; makes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such program.
Provides for transportation accommodations for passengers with disabilities; requires compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and indication for accommodations when requesting a ride; creates an on-demand vehicle accessibility fund.