Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller and Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee in support of legislation that would create the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP).
HB502 will also launch Maryland as a Model Employer, which mirrors the nationwide SAME initiative aimed at establishing best practices and policies for states to build stronger, more inclusive workforces. State government plays an important role in advancing the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities through their employment policies, thereby serving as a model for the private, non-public, local government, and municipality sectors.
Lt. Governor Miller and Secretary Beatty spoke on how the legislation would uplift Marylanders with disabilities by addressing employment gaps, solving workforce shortages, and improving economic outcomes while providing pathways to employment opportunities. The bill also aims to establish Maryland as a Model Employer for private-sector businesses by improving hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities within the State workforce.
“Our mission is to make Maryland a national leader in employing individuals with disabilities while addressing both employment disparities and workforce shortages,” said Lt. Governor Miller. “For far too long, we’ve left people with disabilities on the sideline of our economy. With this bill we lift a community that has long gone overlooked. Reducing barriers and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities will result in significant economic benefits for individuals, businesses, and the State.”
