Relating to wages paid to certain workers with disabilities.

HB 3494 requires employers in Texas who pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage to increase those wages to the federal minimum by September 1, 2030. It directly affects employers using sheltered workshops or similar programs for disabled workers, mandating they transition to paying standard federal minimum wage rates by the 2030 deadline. The bill establishes new requirements for the Texas Workforce Commission to assist employers in developing compliance plans and help workers understand how wage increases might affect their benefits. The law expires on September 1, 2030, and includes provisions for employers to retain workers during the transition or assist them in finding new employment if needed.