Thousands of workers in Ohio with disabilities are legally paid less than minimum wage.

Some Ohio lawmakers are supporting House Bill 427, which focuses on phasing out subminimum wages for individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

State Representative Lauren McNally supports the bill. She said all workers, even those with disabilities, should get paid minimum wage.

"Getting paid for a job is about the quality of work you're producing for that job, regardless of what the job is. You deserve to be treated with respect, you deserve to have dignity at work, you deserve to have safety at work, and you deserve to go home with a paycheck that allows you to live a fulfilled life at home," said McNally.

Organizations that have a 14C certificate can legally pay their employees less than the federal minimum wage. Employment Development Inc. is the only organization in Columbiana County with this certificate. Ashley Feezle, program director for Employment Development Inc. said without it, they would not be able to give as many people learning opportunities.

"Some individuals either are not ready to seek community employment, don't have a desire to, or they don't have all the skills for a full job, so this gives them a place to receive training and learn skills, social skills, work training skill, so many different skills that can help them," said Feezle.

The CEO of the organization said without the certificate, they wouldn't be able to have as many employees.

"Our attendance would probably go down by 50 percent and individuals would just stay at home and not come for the other activities that we do here," said Jacob Lawton, CEO of Employment Development Inc. 

McNally said the bill has a ways to go, but has received a lot of support.