ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1634

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-06-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T20:08:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act" aims to boost employment opportunities for people with disabilities by fostering collaboration between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Council on Disability (NCD). It focuses on helping disabled individuals start businesses, find jobs at small companies, and supporting small businesses in hiring and accommodating them.

Key Provisions

• Assistance Requirements: The SBA Administrator, working with the NCD Chair, must:
• Support people with disabilities who want to become entrepreneurs or self-employed.
• Help them secure jobs at small businesses (defined as independently owned firms with limited employees and revenue, per the Small Business Act).
• Aid small businesses in recruiting disabled workers and addressing accessibility needs (like making workplaces usable for those with disabilities).
• Implementation: These efforts will be coordinated through one or more memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or similar agreements between the SBA and NCD.
• Outreach and Education: The SBA and NCD will promote these programs through public awareness and training initiatives.
• Reporting: Within two years of enactment, the SBA must submit a report to Congress detailing:
• How the activities were conducted.
• Ways to improve SBA's technical support for these efforts.
• Key accomplishments.
• Future plans to expand opportunities for disabled individuals.
• Funding: No new money is authorized; all work must use existing resources.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This act introduces new mandates for the SBA to partner with the NCD specifically on disability employment, which was not previously required by law. It builds on existing frameworks like the Small Business Act but adds targeted collaboration and reporting without altering core definitions or prior statutes.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The SBA and NCD will need to allocate existing staff and resources to develop MOUs, conduct outreach, and prepare reports, potentially straining budgets but enhancing their roles in disability inclusion.
• Citizens: People with disabilities may gain better access to entrepreneurship support, job placement, and workplace accommodations, promoting economic independence.
• Small Businesses: Companies could receive guidance on hiring and accessibility, making it easier to build diverse workforces, though without new funding, implementation might be limited.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the act is focused on domestic U.S. small business and disability policies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Individuals with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries seeking self-employment or jobs.
• Small Businesses: Recipients of hiring and accessibility assistance.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Leads implementation and reporting.
• National Council on Disability (NCD): Provides consultation and collaboration.
• Congress: Receives oversight reports to evaluate progress.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The act enforces collaboration via non-binding MOUs, avoiding new regulatory burdens, and relies on existing SBA authority under the Small Business Act. It aligns with broader U.S. laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination but does not mandate such partnerships.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it promotes equal opportunity without infringing on rights or federal powers.
• Political: Emphasizes voluntary, resource-neutral initiatives to advance disability employment, potentially appealing across parties as a low-cost way to address workforce inclusion, but success depends on agency execution without extra funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
• 2025-06-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-06-03: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2399)
• 2025-06-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2399)
• 2025-06-03: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1634.
• 2025-06-03: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2399-2401)
• 2025-06-03: Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-03-24: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 21.
• 2025-03-24: Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-32.
• 2025-03-24: Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-32.
• 2025-03-05: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
• 2025-03-05: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act — issued 2025-06-03 — PDF (6 pages)
• ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (3 pages)
• ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (4 pages)
• ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (6 pages)