A sheltered workshop employee takes a momentary break from repackaging plastic sprayers to chat with her mother. (Tammy Ljungblad | Kansas City Star/TNS)

Although federal legislation that would abolish the subminimum wage has seen little progress, five state legislatures are considering bills to curtail or eliminate the practice and similar bills have already passed in five states and several large cities. Advocates hope the changes contribute to a critical mass leading to federal action.