Rice Bill to Help Minorities with Disabilities Advances

Trenton – In an effort to improve conditions for minority individuals with disabilities, legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald Rice would establish the Disparity in Treatment of Persons with Disabilities in Underrepresented Communities Commission in the Department of Community Affairs. The bill advanced from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Minority communities and the disabled community are both deeply underserved in New Jersey, despite making up a significant percentage of the population. This has left disabled, minority individuals in an especially troubling position,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “My hope is that through this legislation we can improve the services available to these residents and ensure they don’t continue to fall through the cracks in the system.”

Under the bill, S-313, the commission would study and report on the disparate treatment received by racial or ethnic minorities classified as disabled by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The commission would study their unique concerns and the effect their status as a racial or ethnic minority has on exacerbating the impact of their disability.

Following its study and report, the commission would issue recommendations to the Legislature on how to address the concerns raised and improve services.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health describes a person from a racial or ethnic minority group who also has a disability as facing a “double burden” from the additional health and social challenges caused by their intersectional identity. Addressing their intersectionality is key to reducing inequities and improving the lives of this community, Rice noted.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 8-0.