Economic Justice

Monday’s edition of the Federal Register contains a new rule from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to increase the number of federal workers who have disabilities, a proposal from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to update its open-records regulations, and more time from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comment on a new rule for certain chemical substances.

Here's what to look for:

Disabled workers: The EEOC is finalizing a rule that will require federal agencies to enact hiring policies that favor individuals with disabilities.

The agency said the final rule clarifies the affirmative action obligation under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Under the rule, agencies are required to take specific steps to gradually increase the number of employees who have a disability or targeted disability, which include deafness, blindness, partial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorder, mental illness, and missing extremity.

The rule also requires agencies to provide personal assistance services to employees who, because of a targeted disability, require such assistance in order to be at work or participate in work-related travel.

These personal services help individuals with disabilities perform the activities of daily living, including assistance with removing and putting on clothes, eating, and using the restroom, the EEOC said in its rulemaking.

The regulation, which will take effect in 60 days, does not apply to the private sector or to state or local governments.