July 31, 2026 marked the conclusion of the formal legislative session on Beacon Hill, closing out this two-year cycle of relentless advocacy, countless hours inside the State House, and hundreds of conversations and letters to our lawmakers. Together, we’ve driven major progress on our legislative agenda.
Particularly in the face of deeply concerning federal cuts and policy changes, our state budget and legislative advocacy became more important than ever.
We can – and we did – move the needle here in Massachusetts.
But we’re not done yet.
Below, we’ve shared a review of our wins, alongside a forward-looking preview to understand how we keep the momentum going.
Our Accomplishments This Session
This legislative session delivered historic wins for our community. Each of these wins will directly support individuals and families across the Commonwealth. Thanks to strong partnership with our legislators, we successfully turned decades of advocacy into law. Click on the links below for more information on each accomplishment.
- Removing Archaic Language: Eradicated offensive, demeaning, and outdated terms referring to people with disabilities from state law after decades of fighting.
- The Blue Envelope Program: Codified this vital program into law, bridging critical safety and communication gaps between law enforcement, individuals with autism, and their families.
- Turning 22 Commission: Secured language in the FY27 state budget establishing a dedicated stakeholder commission – featuring individuals with lived experience – to improve the transition process.
- PROTECT Act Inclusion: Safeguarded our community by ensuring DDS-licensed and MassHealth Day Habilitation facilities are included in protected spaces, shielding individuals and the human services workforce from civil immigration enforcement.
- Education Protections & IEP Interpreters: Partnered with Massachusetts Advocates for Children to enshrine critical rights for students with disabilities and English-language learners, including access to trained interpreters for IEP meetings.
- Access to Historical Records: Opened historical state institution files to give families long-awaited closure and ensure researchers can properly document our past.
Beyond major bills, our budget advocacy across FY26 and FY27 secured vital funding to protect and support our community, particularly for those with complex needs.
- $1.2 Million Increase: Secured additional funding for the DESE-DDS Residential Placement Prevention Program.
- Chapter 257 Benchmark: Successfully sustained funding at the 53rd percentile to support the human services workforce.
- First-Ever Mobile Crisis Symposium: Secured dedicated funding to host this breakthrough statewide event.
- Workforce Training: Secured continued investment in successful training initiatives.
- Operation House Call: Continued critical funding to expand this essential healthcare education program.
What Comes Next?
As the legislature shifts into informal sessions for the remainder of the year, the landscape changes. But our work does not.
While informal sessions present a higher hurdle where a single objection from any lawmaker can table a measure, we can still push consensus-driven priorities across the finish line.
We are finalizing our informal session playbook this month and will share exact details on how you can engage. Stay tuned.
Thank You for Being Part of this Work
None of this progress happens without you. Over the past two years, your grassroots power has been nothing short of extraordinary:
- 28 action alert campaigns launched
- 17,494 direct letters delivered to state leaders
- Countless office visits, State House meetings, phone calls, and personal stories shared
We are proud of our momentum and will keep fighting relentlessly right up until the new session convenes in January 2027.
