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June 17, 2024 | Vol. MMXXIII | Issue 93
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Congress will be taking a recess and Disability Policy News will also be taking a recess and return on July 22nd.
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Autism CARES Act of 2024 Passes House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee
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On June 12th, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup for 13 health related bills, including the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R 7213). The bill establishes research, training, and monitoring programs throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the increasing prevalence of
autism. The bill will support and expand the research of the Institutes of Health, support the capacity of the existing Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities programs, require a report on how to increase the number of Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians, and more. The bill passed through the Energy and Commerce Committee with a vote of 42-0.
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Plain Language
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On June 12th, the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee voted on the Autism CARES Act (H.R. 7213). This bill includes programs in the federal government to help people with autism. The bill passed by a vote of 42-0.
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Action Steps
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Read the bill text. Watch the hearing. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of improving research, training, and services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. AUCD and the
Autism Society of America have drafted this policy brief to help in outreach to offices.
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House Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee Passes Bill with Rider that Reverses the Ban on Electric Shock
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In March, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a proposed rule to ban the use of electric shock devices for self-injurious or aggressive behavior back and closed the public comment period on May 28th. Last week, the Republicans on the House Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration subcommittee passed the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill. The bill includes a policy rider (Section 722) that will stop the FDA from banning these devices when they are court ordered. The FDA has previously determined that these devices put people at a substantial risk of illness or injury that cannot be solved with just labeling changes and
has been working to ensure that no person is subjected to these devices. The Appropriations Committee is expected to mark-up and vote on the bill on July 10th.
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Plain Language
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On June 11th, the House Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appropriations subcommittee, which decides how much money certain government programs get every year, passed a bill that would stop the FDA from issuing a rule to end the use of electric shock devices on people with disabilities.
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Action Steps
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For background. Read this letter from the National Council on Disability. Read this resource from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the dangers of using electric shock devices on people with disabilities. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at
202-224-3121.
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Biden-Harris Administration Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Olmstead
Decision
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The 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. is June 22nd, 2024. The decision ruled that unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities in institutions is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The decision would eventually allow many more people with disabilities to live in their communities, instead of in institutions.
To celebrate this anniversary, the White House and other federal agencies are hosting two events that can be attended virtually:
On June 18th from 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm ET, there will be panel of disability advocates to discuss the film, Take Me Home. The event will be livestreamed on Youtube.
On June 20th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is hosting an event with speakers who have been impacted by this decision. Register.
Also, Liz Weintraub, AUCD's Senior Advocacy Specialist, will release a tribute video for the Olmstead decision. You can view it on AUCD’s webpage on Friday!
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Plain Language
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June 22nd, 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. The decision said that people with disabilities do not need to live in institutions if it is not needed. To celebrate the anniversary, the White House and other federal agencies are hosting events that can be joined virtually.
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Action Steps
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Watch for the White House event on June 18th. Register for the DOJ and HHS event.
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House of Representatives Introduces Bill to Improve Transportation Security Administration Screening for Veterans and People with Disabilities
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On June 5th, Representative Thanedar (D-MI-13), and Representative LaLota (R-NY-1) introduced the Improved for Veterans and Passengers with Disabilities Act (H.R. 8645). The bill will require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create annual training for TSA officers to improve how they serve passengers with disabilities. The training would be updated at least every two years in consultation with disability and veterans’ organizations. The legislation also requires TSA
to enroll injured or disabled veterans in TSA Precheck at no cost.
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Plain Language
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On June 5th, Representative Thanedar (D-MI-13), and Representative LaLota (R-NY-1) introduced the Improved for Veterans and Passengers with Disabilities Act (H.R. 8645). The bill will make going through airport security easier for veterans and other passengers with disabilities and will train airport workers so they can better help passengers with disabilities.
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Action Steps
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Read the announcement from Representative Thanedar. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of improving the airport security process for people with disabilities. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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Senate Finance Committee Upcoming Hearing on Work and Social Security Disability Benefits
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On Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00 am ET, the Senate Finance Committee will be holding a hearing titled “Work and Social Security Disabilities Benefits: Addressing Challenges and Creating Opportunities”. The hearing will feature witnesses from the Congressional Research Service, Social Security Administration, Government Accountability Office, and National Council of Social Security Management Associations.
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Action Steps
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Watch the hearing.
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Register for the White House Office of Public Engagement Aging and Disability Communities Call
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The White House Office of Public Engagement regularly hosts calls to discuss any federal updates that will affect the older adults and people with disabilities. The next call is June 27th, at 2:00 pm EST. Register here.
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Check out the latest episode of Tuesdays with Liz
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"Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All" is a YouTube video series highlighting current issues and hot topics in disability policy. Past guests of Tuesdays with Liz include U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, agency officials, AUCD leadership, and key members of the disability community.
Liz Weintraub is AUCD's Senior Advocacy Specialist and the host of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All."
Liz has extensive experience practicing leadership in self-advocacy and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations, including the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL) and the Maryland Development Disabilities Council.
Find the full playlist on YouTube or check out the latest episode.
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