June 2022: Rhode Island Governor Signed Bill to Allow Workers with Disabilities to Be Paid Fair Wages

Update Applicable to:
All employers with employees with mental and/or physical disabilities.

What happened?
In our previous communication here, we informed you that the Rhode Island General Assembly voted to pass House Bill 7511 (HB 7511) to repeal Section 28-12-9 of the R.I. General Laws that allows employers to pay workers with disabilities below the minimum wage. This is an update to that communication.

What are the details?
On June 15, 2022, Governor McKee signed HB 7511 into law.

Effective immediately, employers are prohibited from paying employees with mental and/or physical disabilities a sub-minimum wage below the state’s minimum wage.

For more information, please see the links below:

House Bill 7511 (HB 7511)

Section 28-12-9 of the R.I General Laws

Vensure Legal Update (6/21/2022)

What do employers need to do?
Employers should review the links provided above and ensure that their employees with mental and/or physical disabilities are paid the same wage as other employees so that they are in compliance with the new law.