[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 59768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24353]


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CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION


Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

AGENCY: United States Commission on Civil Rights.

ACTION: Notice of Commission public briefing, Subminimum Wages: Impacts 
on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities.

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DATES: Friday, November 15, 2019, 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).

ADDRESSES: Place: National Place Building, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20245 (Entrance on F Street NW).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Walch, (202) 376-8371; TTY: 
(202) 376-8116; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Government in the Sunshine 
Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a 
public briefing to examine the exemption under the Fair Labor Standards 
Act--the section 14(c) waiver program--which permits employers to pay 
less than the minimum wage to individuals with disabilities. In April 
2018, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that more than 1,800 
employers held a waiver of minimum wage requirements, affecting at 
least some 150,000 workers. Reliable reports indicate that many 
employers with 14(c) certificates pay far below prevailing or minimum 
wage while segregating these employees from the non-disabled workforce. 
The Commission will investigate whether this violates the civil rights 
of people with disabilities. The Commission will analyze the use of the 
14(c) waiver program, its effect on people with disabilities, and 
oversight by the Departments of Labor and Justice.
    This briefing is open to the public. We will offer an open comment 
session in which members of the public will have an opportunity to 
address the Commission; detailed information, including on registering 
for a three-minute speaking slot, can be viewed here. Individuals may 
attend the briefing without the need to confirm attendance or RSVP.
    The event will also live-stream. (Information subject to change.) 
There will also be a public call-in line (listen-only): 800-822-2024, 
conference ID: 8561700. If attending in person, we ask that you RSVP to 
[email protected]. Persons with disabilities who need 
accommodation should contact Pamela Dunston at 202-376-8105 or at 
[email protected] at least seven business days before the date of the 
meeting.
    The Commission welcomes the submission of additional material for 
consideration as we prepare our report; please submit to 
[email protected] no later than December 15, 2019. Stay abreast 
of updates at www.usccr.gov and on Twitter and Facebook.

Agenda

    Introductory Remarks: Chair Catherine E. Lhamon: 9:00 a.m.-9:10 
a.m.
    Panel One: The Federal Government's Role: 9:10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
    Panel Two: Data Regarding Subminimum Wages and Competitive 
Integrated Employment: 10:40 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
    Panel Three: The Nature of Existing 14(c) Programs: 11:30 a.m.-
12:40 p.m.
    Remarks by Former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Secretary of 
Homeland Security Tom Ridge: 12:45 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
    Lunch break: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
    Panel Four: Transitioning from 14(c) Programs: 2:00 p.m.-3:10 p.m.
    Panel Five: Reform to the 14(c) Program at the Federal Level: 3:20 
p.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Open Public Comment Session: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
    Adjourn: 6:30 p.m. (Adjournment time subject to change).

    Dated: November 4, 2019.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2019-24353 Filed 11-4-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 6335-01-P