It is the policy of the state of Washington that persons with physical, mental, or sensory handicaps shall be given equal opportunities in employment. The legislature recognizes that handicapped persons have faced unfair discrimination in employment.

     For these reasons, the state employment service division of the employment security department shall give particular and special attention service to those persons with physical, mental, or sensory handicaps which substantially limit one or more of their major life functions as defined under P.L. 93-112 and rules promulgated thereunder. Particular and special attention service shall include but not be limited to particular and special attention in counseling, referral, notification of job listings in advance of other persons, and other services of the employment service division.

     Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to affect the veteran's preference or any other requirement of the United States department of labor.

     The employment security department shall report to the house and senate commerce and labor committees by December 1, 1987, on its accomplishments under this section and on its future plans for implementation of this section. The department shall report to the above mentioned committees every odd-numbered year thereafter on its actions under this section.

     The employment security department shall establish rules to implement this section.

[1987 c 76 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 273 § 1.]