Action needed to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Labor Regarding 14(c)

Dear Together for Choice Members and Friends:
 
On December 3, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a new proposed rule that would phase-out certificates issued under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Section 14(c) permits the payment of special wages to individuals with disabilities who are unable to work as productively as a non-disabled person performing the same task.  The Department of Labor is accepting comments on its proposed rule through January 17, 2025.   It is critical that we submit as many comments as possible opposing the proposed rule.  Without Section 14(c) certificates individuals with the most significant intellectual disabilities will be unable to obtain employment.
 
Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act has been in existence for over 85 years.  The purpose of Section 14(c) is to help individuals with disabilities to obtain employment.  No one is forced to work at 14(c) wages.  Therefore, the statute preserves choices for our loved ones; it preserves their civil right to choose the employment setting that best suits them. 
 
It was important that the Department of Labor hear from the families that would be affected by the phasing-out of 14(c) certificates. The Department needs to understand that eliminating Section 14(c) certificates will mean the loss of employment for men and women with significant intellectual disabilities, like our loved ones.  The Department is proposing a “one-size-fits-all” rule that will have a devastating impact on the more than 65,000 men and women who rely on Section 14(c) certificates. 
  
Therefore, please submit your comment to the U.S. Department of Labor BY JANUARY 17, 2025.
 
Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail.  Please follow the instructions below:

Electronic Comments: Submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov/document/WHD-2024-0001-0001.  Click the Comment button.  Where it says “Start typing comment here,” click and type your comment.

Mail Comments: Address written submissions to: Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210.

Thanks,
 
Scott M. Mendel
Chairman, Together for Choice