II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2559 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 25, 2008 Mr. Dodd (for himself and Mr. McCain) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title II of the Social Security Act to increase the level of earnings under which no individual who is blind is determined to have demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act of 2008.

2.

Increase in amount demonstrating substantial gainful activity in the case of blind individuals

(a)

In general

Section 223(d)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)) is amended— (1)by striking the second sentence of subparagraph (A); and (2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C)No individual who is blind shall be regarded as having demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity on the basis of monthly earnings in any taxable year that do not exceed an amount equal to— (i)in the case of earnings in the taxable year beginning after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2009, $1,800 per month; (ii)in the case of earnings in the taxable year beginning after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2010, $2,200 per month; (iii)in the case of earnings in the taxable year beginning after December 31, 2009, and before January 1, 2011, $2,500 per month; (iv)in the case of earnings in the taxable year beginning after December 31, 2010, and before January 1, 2012, $2,850 per month; and (v)in the case of earnings in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2011, the exempt amount applicable under section 203(f)(8) to an individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in section 216(l)) before the close of the taxable year involved. . (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.