Rehabilitation Act of 1973: 109th Congress Legislation and FY2006 Budget Request

Publication Date: February 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

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Abstract:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the nation's major program to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to help persons with physical and mental disabilities achieve employment goals and full integration into society. Authorization of appropriations for the Rehabilitation Act expired in FY2003. Although the 108th Congress considered legislation to reauthorize the Act, no final action was taken. In the 109th Congress, H.R. 27, to reauthorize the Act through FY2011, was ordered reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce on February 17, 2005. S. 9, to reauthorize the Act through FY2011, was introduced by Senator Enzi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on January 24, 2005.

The President has requested $3 billion for the Act for FY2006, a 0.1% increase over FY2005. The budget request would eliminate four programs authorized under the Act (programs for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, recreational activities, supported employment state grants, and projects with industry (PWI)). The budget also proposes to allow states to move Title I of the Rehabilitation Act into a Consolidated Workforce Investment state grant for employment services. This report will be updated.