Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act," aims to help employers phase out the use of special certificates under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It provides grant programs to assist States and eligible entities in transitioning their business models toward competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities. The legislation seeks to ensure workers receive fair wages and access to integrated community services. It also establishes a timeline to phase out special certificates and prohibits the issuance of new ones. Additionally, the bill provides for technical assistance to support these business and program transformations.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill transitions workers from segregated employment to competitive integrated employment with better wages and community support.
- Scored +7
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?
The bill phases out special certificates to ensure people with disabilities are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill increases the wage floor for employees currently working under special certificates.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Higher Wages: The bill transitions pay scales so that employees receive a rate not less than the federal or State minimum wage, or the customary rate paid to similar employees (Section 101).
-
Improved Employment Models: It assists employers in transforming their operations to support people with disabilities in finding and retaining work through competitive integrated employment (Section 3).
-
Community Integration: The bill supports the transition of workers to integrated services that allow them to participate in community settings and live more independently (Section 3).
-
Access to Resources: It includes provisions to help people with disabilities learn about ABLE accounts and other financial asset development options (Section 102).
-
Increased Support for States: It provides funding to help States and local governments implement Olmstead plans and improve employment outcomes through workforce development systems (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Phase Out of Special Certificates: The bill includes a sunset provision where the authority to issue special certificates expires after 5 years, meaning any existing certificates will no longer have legal effect (Section 202).
-
Prohibition of New Certificates: The Secretary is prohibited from issuing any new special certificates to employers (Section 202).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill transitions workers from segregated employment to competitive integrated employment with better wages and community support. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases the wage floor for employees currently working under special certificates.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — The bill phases out special certificates to ensure people with disabilities are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill promotes competitive integrated employment and higher wages to increase socioeconomic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill supports state activities related to Medicaid buy-in eligibility pathways for people with disabilities.
- 3/5/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts