STATE AS A MODEL EMPLOYER

OVERVIEW

Louisiana state government is committed to serving as a model employer by improving hiring, recruitment and retention of individuals with disabilities, with the overall goal that seven percent (7%) of the workforce in each executive branch state agency is comprised of persons living with a disability. The State As a Model Employer initiative was originally established by Executive Order JBE 18-08 and applicable to agencies reporting to the Governor. Effective 5/25/2022, SAME was codified into state law by Act 103 of the 2022 Regular Session and expanded applicability to all executive branch state agencies. La. R.S. 46:2597 specifically requires each executive branch state agency to:

1. Implement and maintain a Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form for all agency employees for purposes of effective data collection and analysis as to the disability status of its workforce; and,
2. Prepare and submit a SAME Agency Plan by December 1^st of each year that includes the strategies and goals for the upcoming year, and the progress and outcomes for the current year, related to employment of individuals with disabilities.

FORMS

• Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form
• State As a Model Employer (SAME) Agency Plan - Template
  • Sample 1: This sample shows a completed SAME Agency Plan for agencies that have been already participating in SAME in association with Executive Order 18-08.
  • Sample 2: This sample shows a completed SAME Agency Plan for agencies that are newly participating in SAME due to passage of Act 103 of the 2022 Regular Session.