WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, announced a new Biden Administration proposed rule that would phase out the usage of the subminimum wage for people with disabilities.

Currently, employers can apply for certificates that allow them to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour. The majority of subminimum wage workers have an intellectual or developmental disability and are paid less than $3.50 an hour. The new proposed rule would phase out certificates allowing this discriminatory practice.

“Every worker deserves to be paid a fair wage, and Americans with disabilities are no exception,” Casey said. “For years, I have pushed to end this shameful, discriminatory practice. This proposed rule is a step towards ensuring workers with disabilities are finally treated fairly and can achieve financial independence.”