2025-2026 Legislative Platform
2025-2026 Legislative Platform Overview
State-level legislative advocacy is a critical component of the work of The Arc of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts legislature operates on a two-year cycle, and we are actively engaged throughout each session, from drafting bill language to advocating for bills to become law.
January 2025 was the beginning of the current legislative session, which will run through 2026. We engaged in a priority-setting process, informed by our community. This session, our advocacy is focused on the workforce crisis, health equity, and community inclusion.
Questions? Contact Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, at nbent@arcmass.org.
Top Legislative Priorities: Uplifting the Workforce
The human service field is in the midst of a significant workforce crisis. Staff are often underpaid and have inadequate benefits and training opportunities. This leads to recruitment and retention challenges, while leaving thousands of individuals with IDD and autism on waitlists for services. These programs are critical to connect individuals to their community, grow their skills, and prevent caregiver burnout. The Arc of Massachusetts seeks to uplift the workforce’s wages, benefits, and training, with the goal of improving the availability, quality, and safety of programs.
- HD2827/SD2273: An Act relative to meeting human service demand by modernizing incentives for the direct care workforce (filed by Rep. Garballey and Sen. Feeney)
- HD2647/SD1662: An Act strengthening transitional planning and increasing accountability for persons with disabilities and their families (filed by Rep. Whipps and Sen. Comerford)
- HD1110/SD1565: An Act relative to family members serving as caregivers (filed by Rep. O’Day and Sen. Lovely)
- HD2762/SD930: An Act updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities (filed by Rep. Garballey and Sen. Keenan) and SD413: An Act to update Nicky’s Law to protect individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs (filed by Sen. Moore)
- HD503/SD1820: An Act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers/An Act establishing a loan repayment program for human service workers (filed by Rep. Roy and Sen. DiDomenico)
Top Legislative Priorities: Health Equity
Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet gaps exist for many marginalized communities, including individuals with IDD and autism. Many interact with a healthcare system that wasn’t designed for them, struggling to find adequate insurance coverage and available providers who can treat complex medical and behavioral challenges. The Arc of Massachusetts seeks to improve access to quality insurance coverage, meaningful therapies and supports, and increasing access to inclusive healthcare.
- HD1903/SD1231: An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (filed by Rep. Garballey and Sen. Lewis)
- HD1026/SD924: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism (filed by Rep. Barber and Sen. Keenan)
- HD2485/SD1130: An Act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care (filed by Rep. Domb and Sen. Gomez)
- HD2973/SD347: An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment (filed by Rep. Rogers and Sen. O’Connor)
Top Legislative Priorities: Community Inclusion & Empowerment
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism deserve the right to participate and thrive in their own communities whenever possible. True inclusion requires community support, tailored services, and a society that understands and accepts all. The Arc of Massachusetts seeks to expand access to affordable and accessible housing, meaningful education, reliable transportation, technology tools, family support, and employment opportunities.
- HD3407/SD1390: An Act relative to supported decision-making agreements for certain adults/An Act relative to supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities (filed by Rep. Livingstone and Sen. Lovely)
- HD2175/SD853: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder (filed by Rep. Domb and Sen. Comerford)
- HD3034/SD113: An Act relative to police interactions with persons on the autism spectrum (filed by Rep. Rogers and Sen. Moore)
- HD982/SD2250: An Act requiring universal changing stations in public buildings (filed by Rep. Lawn and Sen. Barrett)
- HD3429/SD1115: An Act relative to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities/An Act dignifying individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (filed by Rep. Finn and Sen. Jehlen)
Endorsed Legislation
- List in development.
Tracking the Legislative Process
Connect with us to engage in our advocacy efforts and to be in-the-know about the status of the bills that matter to you.
1. Bills are filed in the first January of the 2-year session
(January 2025)
2. Advocates work to build support for legislation
3. Bills are sent to Committees for review
4. Committee hearings are held; individuals and organizations testify
5. Bill is further debated in Committee, potential edits made
6. Bill potentially moves out of Committee, either to another Committee for further review, or to the floor of the House or Senate for a vote
7. Bill may be brought up in the second chamber for a vote, before moving to the Governor for her veto or signature
