CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT ACT

Creates the Customized Employment for Individuals with Disabilities Act. Requires the Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services to establish a 5-year Customized Employment Pilot Program that serves a minimum of 25 individuals by the second year of the Pilot Program. Provides that the Pilot Program shall include certain components, including: (1) an intensive discovery phase during which the unique needs, abilities, and interests of each program participant will be explored; (2) a customized person-centered planning process based upon information gathered during the discovery phase that involves capturing, organizing, and presenting the information in a blueprint for the job search; and (3) an employer negotiation process in which job duties and employee expectations are negotiated to align the skills and interests of each program participant to the needs of an employer. Provides that community-based agencies serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities shall identify and refer individuals to the Department for participation in the Pilot Program. Requires program participants to reflect the geographical, racial, ethnic, gender, and income-level diversity of the State. Contains provisions concerning data collection and reporting, administrative rules, and other matters. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill, but with the following changes: Provides that the purpose of the Act is to assist individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or similar conditions resulting in a most significant disability (rather than individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and complex needs). Provides that the Customized Employment Pilot Program shall be implemented through an individualized plan for employment developed by the individual with a disability and the vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Provides that the individual with a disability may choose to have a personal representative participate in the development of the individualized plan for employment. Includes the State Rehabilitation Council in the list of entities from which the Department of Human Services is required to seek advice and recommendations concerning the creation, operation, and administration of the Customized Employment Pilot Program.