Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages

There is a growing movement across the country to end subminimum wages for people with disabilities. To make sure Minnesota is prepared if this happens, the Minnesota Legislature set up the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages in 2021 to help Minnesota draft a plan.

The task force met from 2022-2024 and engaged the public and interested parties as it prepared its recommendations to the Legislature. The recommendations focus on ensuring a smooth transition if state or federal policy changes phase out subminimum wages. The task force sent the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages Legislative Report (PDF) to the Legislature in February 2023. The task force ended its work in March 2024.

Task force overview
The Minnesota Legislature required this task force in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 17, section 14 and asked it to submit a report in February 2023 with its recommendations for what to do if subminimum wages are phased out.

In this work, the task force identified:
- Benefits to the state in eliminating subminimum wages.
- Barriers to eliminating subminimum wages and potential solutions.
- Ongoing funding and resource strategies.
- Strategies to increase wages and improve work opportunities.
- A plan to evaluate, measure and track progress.
The task force also:
- Engaged and educated people who would be affected
- Advised DHS on plans for limiting subminimum wages in the disability waivers.
Resources