July 15, 2026
Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To amend the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure workplace choice and opportunity for young adults with disabilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act
.
Sec. 2. Use of subminimum wage
Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794g) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(i)
by striking No
and inserting Any
;
(ii)
by striking 24 or younger
and inserting 18 or older
; and
(iii)
by striking unless
and inserting if
; and
(B)
by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:
(3)
The individual chooses to accept employment with such entity.;
(2)
in subsection (b)(2), by striking 24
and inserting 17
;
(3)
in subsection (c), by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:
(4) Other exceptions
The entity described in subsection (a) can satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1)(A) with respect to an individual, if—
(A)
such entity makes documented efforts, at the intervals described in paragraph (2), to contact on behalf of the individual, the designated State unit for the counseling, information, and referrals described in paragraph (1)(A); and
(B)
such designated State unit fails to provide such counseling, information, and referrals after such documented efforts.; and
(4)
in subsection (d)(1), by inserting before the period at the end the following: and, if such individual is employed by an entity described in subsection (a) at the time such documentation is made pursuant to such process, to make available copies of such documentation to the entity
.
Sec. 3. Application
The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to the employment of an individual on or after the date of enactment of this Act.