Disability Hiring in Montgomery County (Video)

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 32-12 on Feb 5 that will require the adoption of regulations permitting the noncompetitive appointment of a qualified person with a severe developmental, physical or psychological disability to a County merit position.

Voters in November overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the County Charter to allow the County to operate a program to recruit and select qualified individuals on a noncompetitive basis. The bill authorizes a program that is similar to the noncompetitive appointment of a person with disability program in the Federal Civil Service under Schedule A.

Councilmember Phil Andrews is the chief sponsor of Bill 32-12. Council President Nancy Navarro, Vice President Craig Rice and Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich, Valerie Ervin, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer were co-sponsors of the legislation.

Montgomery County Council member Phil Andrews comments on disability hiring in Montgomery County.

“This landmark law, advocated by the County’s Commission on People with Disabilities for a quarter century, will enable Montgomery County to be a model employer of qualified people with severe disabilities,” said Councilmember  Andrews (D-Gaithersburg/Rockville), who championed the measure. “The more than 80 percent approval last November by County voters of the Charter Amendment speaks volumes about our residents. This initiative will help the County reduce the very high unemployment rate among people with severe disabilities and will be an example to other governments and to the private sector.”

The County’s Executive Branch will develop through regulations the standards for establishing the type of medical certification required to qualify under the program.

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