Laws That Affect Your Ability to Give Care

Bills are being passed right now that change what you're entitled to, what you'll be paid, and what services your family can access. We track them so you don't have to.

Find bills in your state

7 positive
3 negative
0 neutral
— 10 bills tracked
In Committee
Negative for caregivers
Oregon

Oregon HB 2024 — Caregiver Compensation Reduction

What this means for your family

This bill reduces compensation for live-in caregivers by $4–8/hour starting 2027. Most families have no idea this is happening. If you rely on paid in-home caregiving in Oregon, this directly affects your family's ability to keep help.

What you can do

Contact your Oregon state representative. Tell them caregivers can't absorb another pay cut. Find your rep at oregonlegislature.gov.

Proposed
Positive for caregivers
California

California SB 1234 — IDD Services Expansion Act

What this means for your family

This bill expands eligibility for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) to cover more IDD diagnoses and increases the monthly service hour cap by 20%. If passed, thousands more California families would qualify for paid in-home care.

What you can do

Contact your California state senator and express your support for SB 1234. Share your personal story — it matters.

In Committee
Positive for caregivers
Texas

Texas HB 890 — Medicaid Waiver Waitlist Transparency

What this means for your family

This bill requires the state to publicly report Medicaid waiver waitlist times by region and publish quarterly updates. Texas currently has one of the longest waitlists in the country — some families wait 10+ years. This bill won't shorten the list, but it forces transparency.

What you can do

Call your Texas state rep and ask them to support HB 890. Transparency is the first step to fixing a broken system.

Passed
Positive for caregivers
New York

New York A4521 — Direct Support Professional Wage Act

What this means for your family

This bill raises the minimum wage for direct support professionals (DSPs) to $22/hour. DSP turnover in New York is over 40% because the pay is too low. If your loved one depends on a DSP, this bill could help keep them.

What you can do

This passed the Assembly. Now urge your state senator to bring it to a vote. Share on social media to raise awareness.

Proposed
Negative for caregivers
Florida

Florida SB 678 — iBudget Funding Freeze

What this means for your family

This bill freezes iBudget funding at 2024 levels through 2028, meaning no adjustments for inflation or increased need. For families on the iBudget waiver, this means the services you receive today may cost more out-of-pocket tomorrow.

What you can do

Contact your Florida state senator. Explain how frozen funding doesn't mean stable services — it means less care.

In Committee
Positive for caregivers
Ohio

Ohio HB 155 — Family Caregiver Tax Credit

What this means for your family

This bill creates a $3,000 annual tax credit for family caregivers of individuals with IDD who provide at least 20 hours/week of unpaid care. It won't make caregiving easy, but it recognizes the financial sacrifice families make.

What you can do

Write to your Ohio representative in support of HB 155. Include specific caregiving costs your family absorbs.

Signed
Positive for caregivers
Colorado

Colorado SB 45 — Supported Decision-Making Act

What this means for your family

This bill establishes a formal framework for supported decision-making as an alternative to full guardianship. For families who want their adult children to retain more autonomy while still having support, this is a significant step forward.

What you can do

This is now law in Colorado. If you live in Colorado, learn how supported decision-making might work for your family.

Proposed
Positive for caregivers
Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania HB 3012 — Respite Care Access Act

What this means for your family

This bill mandates that every county in Pennsylvania offer at least one publicly-funded respite care option for IDD families. Currently, many rural counties have zero options, leaving caregivers without any break.

What you can do

Contact your PA state rep. If you live in a county with no respite options, share your story — it's powerful.

In Committee
Negative for caregivers
Georgia

Georgia HB 701 — Provider Rate Restructuring

What this means for your family

This bill restructures Medicaid reimbursement rates for IDD providers, but early analysis shows most community-based providers would see a rate decrease. This could lead to provider closures in underserved areas.

What you can do

Attend the next committee hearing or submit written testimony. Ask your rep to demand an independent fiscal impact study before any vote.

Proposed
Positive for caregivers
Michigan

Michigan SB 312 — Aging Out Support Extension

What this means for your family

This bill extends school-based transition services for students with IDD from age 26 to age 28, giving families two more years to prepare for the shift to adult services. The 'cliff' that families face when school ends would be softened significantly.

What you can do

Contact your Michigan state senator and urge them to co-sponsor SB 312. Two extra years can change a family's trajectory.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Bill summaries are written in plain language by our team to help families understand potential impacts. Always consult the official bill text or a legal professional for authoritative information.

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