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:
- 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,
- Prepare and submit a SAME Agency Plan by December 1st 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.