Federal legislation we support

The Autism Speaks Advocacy team is dedicated to monitoring and influencing federal policies that impact the autism community. Throughout the year, we work with members of Congress and their staff to ensure continued funding for essential autism programs through the annual appropriations process. Additionally, 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.

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

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.
  • 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.
 

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 - 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.

Health & Caregiving

  • Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (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.
  • The Alleviating Barriers To Caregivers Act (ABC Act) 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.

 

 

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)