House committee advances legislation to expand disability state tax credit

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Legislation expanding eligibility for the state’s disability tax credit will go before the Kansas House.

The House Commerce, Labor & Economic Development Committee moved House Bill 2275 to the full house. It increases eligibility for the credit, extends it past 2023, and eliminates an minimum work requirement for disabled individuals to qualify for health insurance.

The bill is supported by organizations like Goodwill Industries of Kansas and Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. Advocacy groups like the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, though, oppose it due to the inclusion of work shelters that pay disabled workers less than minimum wage.

It was an amendment disqualifying such shelters that drew comments from Rep. Sean Tarwater in a hearing last month about the ability of disabled individuals that drew backlash from multiple groups and advocates.

Copyright 2023 WIBW. All rights reserved.