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Delegates brief Arlington commission on 2026 disability-focused legislative wins
Summary
Delegates updated the Arlington Disability Advisory Commission on bills passed in 2026 that affect housing stability, voting rights and crisis response — including new funding for eviction prevention and protections for waiver eligibility.
Delegates from the General Assembly told the Arlington Disability Advisory Commission on July 7 that this year produced several bills benefitting people with disabilities, with new funding and protections they said will improve housing stability and access to services.
"One of the bills that I'm most proud of this year is HB 527 that expands, and makes permanent the eviction reduction program ... and then we put 10,000,000 more behind it in the biennium," Delegate McClure said, describing funding intended to prevent evictions and speed aid to providers.
The delegates highlighted a package of measures. Delegate McClure cited HB 37, which permanently protects developmental-disability waiver eligibility when a parent's Social Security income changes, and HB 1014, which requires a specific judicial finding before taking away a person's right to vote after a guardianship or incapacity finding.
Delegate Hope summarized bills aimed at expanding crisis response and court accommodations, including measures tied to the 988 crisis line and a task force on the Marcus Alert system. He also noted a bill (HB 247) expanding diversion or alternative dispositions for people with autism or developmental disabilities charged with crimes.
Commissioners pressed delegates about next steps and implementation. Chair Karen O'Donovan said the commission will fold the legislative wins and outstanding priorities — including staffing for the Autism Advisory Council — into a short list to submit to county staff ahead of the 2027 session.
The delegates stayed for questions and asked the commission to share priorities and evidence on local access barriers so state lawmakers can pursue targeted solutions in the next legislative session.
