DOL Withdraws Plan to End Sub-Minimum Wages for Disabled Workers
Published Date: 7/7/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Labor is stopping its plan to phase out special certificates that let some workers with disabilities be paid less than minimum wage. This means the current rules under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act will stay as they are for now. Workers, employers, and advocates should know no changes or new costs are coming from this decision anytime soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Workers With Disabilities: Subminimum Pay Continues
The Department stopped the rulemaking that would have phased out certificates allowing some workers with disabilities to be paid less than the federal minimum under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. That means, for now, those certificates and the ability to pay subminimum wages remain as they are.
Employers Face No New 14(c) Costs
The Department of Labor withdrew the December 4, 2024 (89 FR 96466) proposal to phase out special Section 14(c) certificates. If you employ workers under 14(c), the current rules stay in place and the agency says no changes or new costs are coming from this decision anytime soon.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-07959 — Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Department of Labor is proposing clear rules to decide when two companies share responsibility for workers’ rights under key laws like minimum wage, family leave, and farmworker protections. This change helps workers and employers understand who’s in charge and makes enforcement fair and consistent across the country. If finalized, these rules could affect many businesses and workers starting soon, with potential impacts on compliance costs and legal clarity.
2026-03962 — Employee or Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Department of Labor wants to update how we decide if someone is an employee or an independent contractor for three big laws: the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. They’re bringing back a 2021 rule with some tweaks and applying it to all three laws. If you’re a worker or a business, this could change your rights and responsibilities, so get ready to share your thoughts by April 28, 2026!
2025-12316 — Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service
If you hire home helpers like caregivers or housekeepers, this update matters! The government wants to bring back old rules that let some helpers skip overtime and minimum wage rules, making care more affordable. These changes could start soon, helping families and workers find a fair balance without extra costs.
2026-09839 — Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees; Implementation of Federal Court Judgments
The Department of Labor is rolling back a 2024 rule about who counts as exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay, putting the old rules back in place starting May 15, 2026. This affects executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees, making sure employers follow the previous standards. If you’re an employee or boss, expect no changes in pay rules for now, but keep an eye out for future updates!
2026-05781 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Inflation Reduction Act Wage Rates and Wage Determinations
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about wage rates from the Inflation Reduction Act without changing the current rules. This helps make sure the data is clear and easy to provide, while keeping paperwork and costs low for businesses and workers. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 26, 2026, to share them!
2025-12315 — Recission of Final Rule: Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States
The Department of Labor is rolling back a new rule that made it harder and more expensive for farmers to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A program. This change means fewer strict rules and less paperwork for employers, helping them keep their farms running smoothly without extra costs or delays. The rollback starts soon, making it easier for farmers and workers to get back to business as usual.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-12520 — New Source Performance Standards; Delegation of Authority to Oklahoma
The EPA is officially giving Oklahoma the green light to handle certain pollution rules on its own, using updated standards from June 2023. This means Oklahoma’s environmental team will enforce these rules, including in some Native lands. No big money changes or delays—just smoother, local action to keep the air cleaner!
Next: 2025-12555 — Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes
If you own a Honda HA-420 airplane, listen up! The FAA found a tiny gap problem in the wings that could cause trouble, so they want you to swap out some wing parts with safer ones. This fix keeps your plane flying safely and smoothly, and it’s coming soon to make sure everyone stays safe in the skies.