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GO! Bulletin

Action Alert

DD Coalition 2026 Short Session:

Key Issues to Watch

In addition to our “Call to Action” on LTSS eligibility below, the Oregon DD Coalition is watching these issues closely:



• Stopping the creation of an unrepresentative HCBS Workforce Standards Board
• Increasing the supply of accessible housing across the state
• Stabilizing rates for agencies that provide I/DD services
• Protecting Oregon’s Guardianship Representation Program
• Maintaining strong abuse prevention laws for children under care

Policy Updates

Here is an update on some of the policy issues that the DD Coalition is tracking closely.

HCBS Workforce Standards Board (SB 1505)

Senate Bill 1505, which is a Senate Rules Committee bill, would create a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Workforce Standards Board. It is a continuation of last year’s defeated House Bill 3838 concept.

The DD Coalition continues to object because it:

• Duplicates work already happening elsewhere
• Gives too much decision-making power to too few people
• Creates sweeping authority to make rules, propose wages and compensation terms, and set training standards for all HCBS workers with limited public input
• Does not give people with I/DD a real voice in decisions concerning what happens in their homes
• Fails to separate I/DD services from other disability services
• Cannot justify what is likely to be a hefty cost to put into place

Early drafts of this bill show that SB 1505 largely picks up where HB 3838 left off.

Accessible Housing (SB 1576)

A proposal sponsored by Senator Deb Patterson would:

• Update Oregon’s building code
• Increase the number of wheelchair-accessible housing units statewide
• Expand accessible units in housing built with state funds

This proposal builds on efforts from the 2025 Regular Session.

Health Care Omnibus Bill (HB 4040)

A large health care bill, which is a House Health Care Committee bill, includes proposals that impact people with I/DD.

Paying Parents as Personal Support Workers

One concerning proposal would allow parents in the Children with Extraordinary Needs (CEN) program to be paid as Personal Support Workers, instead of as direct employees of agencies.

The DD Coalition has concerns about:

• Less training and accountability
• Reduced choice and self-determination for children
• Challenges when children transition to adulthood
• Difficulty moving to outside providers if caregiving becomes the family’s main income

Taking on the role of a paid provider in addition to the role of parent is tricky. New challenges arise from developmental stage to developmental stage. We believe that CEN providers and kids with I/DD alike benefit from the supervision and support structure of an agency provider.

Assistive Technology Right to Repair

Another proposal would remove prior authorization requirements for electronic wheelchair and other “complex rehabilitation technology” repairs up to $1,500 for Medicaid recipients.

This builds upon legislation passed that the Coalition supported in 2025 (SB 549), which required repair decisions within 72 hours.

Workplace Disability Discrimination (HB 4093)

A proposal sponsored by Representative Travis Nelson would:

• Require BOLI to create resources on reasonable accommodations
• Stop employers from using physical requirements unrelated to job duties
• Improve access to advocates during accommodation meetings
• Add local governments to disability discrimination laws

Abuse Prevention

Three proposals--one by the Senate Human Services Committee (SB 1532), one by the House Judiciary Committee (HB 4042), and one by the House Early Childhood and Human Services Committee (HB 4059)--would make changes to Oregon's abuse prevention and out-of-state-placement system for children under care.



The DD Coalition is reviewing these proposals and will share updates as more information becomes available.

Call to Action!

Protect Medicaid LTSS for Children with I/DD

Join us in asking the Oregon Legislature not to remove eligibility for Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Oregon legislators are considering budget cuts that could take away Medicaid LTSS for thousands of children with I/DD.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has proposed removing two key ways children qualify for services:

• Parental Income Disregard
• Eligibility for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder “Level 1”

These proposals were part of ODHS’s “2025–27 Budget Reduction Options,” which were developed on a short timeline with limited public input.

What You Can Do Now

The Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services is finalizing budget recommendations before the February session begins.

👉 Contact Members of the Subcommittee and your legislators today and ask them to:

• Keep the Parental Income Disregard
• Protect LTSS eligibility for children diagnosed with ASD “Level 1”

Additionally, the Ways and Means Committee will be holding a public hearing and accepting public testimony on the 2026 Agency Reduction Options on Tuesday, February 3rd from 5pm to 8pm. You will be able to submit written testimony up to 48 hours after the hearing. The advisory agenda will be released later this week where people will be able to sign up to testify.

Why This Matters

Parental Income Disregard

The Parental Income Disregard (PID) allows children with I/DD to qualify for Medicaid LTSS without counting their parents’ income. Ending the PID would stop thousands of children from getting the supports they need, such as:

• Attendant care
• Home modifications
• Specialized medical supplies, including special diets or diapers for adult children

Impact on families

Without the PID:

• Families would face more financial stress
• Parents would have a harder time working
• Some families could be pushed into poverty or rely on other public assistance

Before the PID existed, many families had to make painful choices. Some were forced to:

• Send their child to out-of-home care
• Give up custody
• Separate so both parents’ incomes would not count

👉 Follow this link to learn more (with thanks to Little Lobbyists and Medical Motherhood for the content).

Autism Spectrum Disorder “Level 1”

Removing LTSS eligibility for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder “Level 1” would cause long-term harm.

Early support often plays a key role in:

• School success
• Future employment
• Independence later in life

Some support needs do not show up right away. For many children, needs become clearer as they get older. In the meantime, children diagnosed as “Level 1” could lose access to services during those critical developmental years.

Eligibility should be based on a child’s real support needs, not on a diagnosis alone.

What's Happening Next

• The Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services is finalizing budget decisions
• The Oregon Legislature meets in February
• Decisions made now will shape access to services for years to come

This is a key moment for advocacy.

Join us at Go! Day

Please join us in advocacy during the 2026 Legislative Session

The Oregon Developmental Disability Coalition’s

GO! Project Advocacy Team

will be available to give you information, training, and support.

February 12th, 10 AM to 2 PM

Oregon State Library

Room 102 & 103

250 Winter Street NE Salem

Legislative Advocacy 101 Training

Time:

10 AM to 11 AM

Training Options:

• In Person: Room 102 and 103
• Virtual: Zoom (register below to get a link)

Register for the event and training

Advocacy Tools

Want to follow bills during the session?

This video explains how to:

• Track legislation
• Sign up for email alerts
• Stay informed as bills move

For additional advocacy tools, visit the GO Project's You Tube Channel legislative advocacy videos created by our GO! Advocacy Team.

The Oregon DD Coalition advocates with and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon.



We work together to influence services, systems, and laws so people with I/DD have better opportunities across the state.

 1775 32nd Place, Suite F, Salem OR 97301

 admin@orddcoalition.org | www.orddcoalition.org