Federal legislation we support

The Autism Speaks Advocacy team is dedicated to monitoring and influencing federal policies that impact the autism community.  We work to advance legislation that addresses key challenges and increases opportunities for autistic individuals and their families. Below is a list of recent federal legislation that Autism Speaks has endorsed, reflecting our commitment to policies that support meaningful improvements in services, research, and quality of life for the autism community.

In addition to supporting the following legislation, we also work with members of Congress and their staff to ensure continued funding for essential autism programs through the annual appropriations (federal budget) process.

Endorsed bills in the 119th Congress (2025-2026)

* indicates the bill became law during that Congress

Caregiving

  • The Autism Family Caregivers Act (H.R.4086) would create a pilot program to award grants for caregiver skills training programs for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.
  • The Alleviating Barriers To Caregivers Act (ABC Act) (S.1227/H.R.2491) would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers.
  • Lifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act (S.830/H.R.2560) protects caregivers' well-being—and, in turn, the well-being of the people they care for—by helping offer caregivers a break from the physical, emotional, and financial demands they face due to their caregiving responsibilities.

Education

  • The Empowering Families in Special Education Act (S.745/H.R.1570) would require local education agencies to notify parents before the first individualized education program (IEP) meeting each school year, of their right to include individuals with knowledge or special expertise regarding their child in the IEP team. This ensures parents are informed and can involve relevant experts in developing their child’s educational plan.
  • The IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R.2598) acknowledges the importance of access to special education services in students’ ability to grow and thrive at school and addresses the longstanding need to close funding gaps for these supports.
  • Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers Act (S.1172/H.R.864) - The PACT Act creates a 10-year path to fully fund IDEA and Title I, which have been chronically underfunded since their inception. Support for these programs help autistic students receive the services they need to succeed in school.
  • The RISE Act (H.R.3939) seeks to ease the transition from high school to higher education for students with disabilities, by making it easier for college students with disabilities to access disability services and academic accommodations. The bill requires colleges to accept a student’s IEP, 504 Plan, or other previous documentation as proof of a disability, reducing the need for costly and redundant evaluations. It also supports training for college faculty and helps students and families understand how to access accommodations on campus.
  • The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act (H.R.5476/S.2330) strengthens the paraeducator workforce by funding recruitment, raising wages, expanding professional development, and creating career pathways—especially in high-need rural and urban communities

Employment

  • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act (H.R.1621) would require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to submit a report to Congress identifying the challenges that small business entrepreneurs and employees with disabilities face. 
  • ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act (H.R.1634) would direct the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to work together in providing resources and assistance for individuals with disabilities who want to start their own small business or find employment, aid small businesses in hiring PWD, and address accessibility concerns within small business environments.
 

Financial Security

  • * Ensuring Nationwide Access to Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act (S.627/H.R.1436)- The ENABLE Act would improve the financial security of people with autism and other disabilities by permanently extending three beneficial tax provisions related to ABLE Accounts. ABLE Accounts allow people to save for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing other federal benefits (like Medicaid or SSI).
  • Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (S.73/H.R.1757) - Currently, couples who both receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have their benefits reduced if they get married. This bipartisan bill would remove the marriage penalty so autistic people do not have to choose between love, family and financial stability.
  • SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S.1234/H.R.2540) - This bill, for the first time in over 30 years, would raise the amount of assets SSI recipients can save without jeopardizing their vital SSI benefits.
  • ABLE Employment Flexibility Act (S.2459/H.R. 4644) would allow employers to make tax-exempt contributions directly to employee's ABLE Accounts, helping workers with disabilities build savings without risking essential benefits.

Health

  • The HEADs UP Act (H.R. 3409) aims to improve access to behavioral, medical and dental care for individuals with I/DD by designating people with I/DD as a Medically Underserved Population under programs authorized in the Public Health Services Act.
  • Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (S.1782/H.R.1520) - "Charlotte's Bill" would prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system. It strengthens protections for autistic individuals, ensuring adequate supports and accommodations for a successful transplant evaluation, procedure and recovery.

Safety

  • The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act provides federal funding to support, expand, and create Blue Envelope Programs across the country. These programs aim to improve interactions between law enforcement and public safety personnel and individuals with autism and I/DD.

     

Endorsed bills in the 118th Congress (2023-2024)

Read more about recent autism policy wins in our 2024 Advocacy Highlights article.

Education

Medicaid and Home & Community-Based Services

Financial Opportunities (Social Security Income & ABLE Accounts)

Health & Safety

Caregivers

Research & Innovation

Community Living 

Housing

  • Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act (S.1377/H.R.3963)