The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would help disabled Utahns find and hold jobs.

Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland, sponsored the legislation to create a pilot program to provide job training, workplace support and coaching for disabled people.

There are more than 300 people on the state's waiting list for disability services whose mental disabilities are not severe enough to make them unemployable.

But many have never held a job.

The two-year pilot program established by HB 31 would get 100 of those people working, said Paul Day, deputy director of the Division of Services for people with Disabilities.

The legislation requires one-time funding of $150,000 to pay for job coaches and related training, said Carol Sisco, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services.

Much of the investment can be recouped over time through income taxes on their wages and savings in state services.

"If you take people from the less-critical end of the list and find them jobs, they don't necessarily need more expensive care later," Sisco said.

The disabled could be employed in light manufacturing or service jobs like grocery baggers, Sisco said. Employers can also benefit through certain tax incentives.

Menlove, who has a background in special education, said that in addition to the financial rewards and much-needed respite for care-givers, employment has been shown to increase confidence and self-esteem for the disabled.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Kimberly Jahnke can be reached at kjahnke@standard.net.

HB 31: Pilot Program for the Provision of Services for People with Disabilities

Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland

This bill would create a pilot program to help disabled Utahns find and keep jobs.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A9.