2026 Legislative Session: What Happened and Why It Matters

The Louisiana Legislature finished its 2026 Regular Session on June 1.

This year, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, advocates, and organizations across Louisiana worked together to make sure lawmakers understood the needs of the disability community.

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and LaCAN want to say thank you to everyone who took action this year. Whether you responded to action alerts, contacted lawmakers, attended meetings, or wore your yellow shirts at the Capitol, your voice made a difference.

Advocates from across Louisiana came to the Capitol during the 2026 Legislative Session

to share their experiences and speak up for people with disabilities.

What We Focused On

This year, the Council and LaCAN focused on four main goals:

1. Creating an emergency alert for people with I/DD who go missing.
2. Restoring funding for Families Helping Families Centers.
3. Increasing funding for employment services through Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.
4. Supporting funding to improve waiver services and Direct Support Worker (DSW) pay.

Thanks to the efforts of advocates across Louisiana, progress was made on all of these priorities and more.

Bryan’s Call Becomes Law

Act 347 by Senator Patrick McMath

One of the biggest successes this session was the passage of Bryan’s Call, a new emergency alert for people with I/DD who go missing.

The new law:

• Creates Bryan’s Call alerts for missing children and adults with I/DD.
• Requires law enforcement to act quickly when the requirements for an alert are met.
• Uses Wireless Emergency Alerts to help notify the public.

This law will help families and communities respond faster when a person with I/DD goes missing.

Outcome: Signed into law by the Governor.

State Budget Includes Important Disability Funding

HB1 by Representative Jack McFarland

Lawmakers passed a state budget that includes several investments important to people with disabilities.

The budget includes:

• More than $33.5 million in state and federal funding to improve home and community-based waiver services and address the Direct Support Worker workforce shortage.
  • The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will work with stakeholders to determine how some of this funding will be used. The Council will share opportunities for public input as they become available.
• $250,000 restored to support Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers.
• 750 additional Community Choices Waiver opportunities for older adults and people with adult-onset disabilities.
• $2 million in additional funding for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services to help people with disabilities find and keep competitive, integrated employment.

Outcome: Awaiting Governor’s approval and signature.

Protections for People with Intellectual Disabilities Remain in Place

HB1107 by Representative Michael Melerine

This bill would have changed how courts determine whether someone has an intellectual disability in death penalty cases.

Supporters of disability rights were concerned because the bill relied heavily on IQ scores and placed less emphasis on adaptive skills, such as communication, social skills, decision-making, and independent living.

The bill also raised concerns about future protections for people with intellectual disabilities if federal court protections were weakened.

Outcome: The bill did not become law.

Education Bills Affecting Students with Disabilities

Several education bills received attention this session because of their potential impact on students with disabilities.

HB283 by Representative Candace Newell

This new law focuses on school safety and increases consequences for students who harm teachers or school staff.

Many disability advocates were concerned that students could be punished for behaviors related to their disabilities. Changes were added to the bill to help protect students with disabilities, but questions remain about whether those protections will fully address concerns, especially for students who have not yet received a diagnosis.

HB342 by Representative Alonzo Knox

This law changes who must provide evidence during certain special education disputes.

Instead of families having to prove a school is wrong, school systems must now show that their special education program is appropriate.

This change may help create a fairer process for families by recognizing that school systems often have greater access to records, data, and resources.

HB352 by Representative Shane Mack

This law helps students with disabilities receive medically necessary behavioral health services during the school day, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.

The law encourages schools and providers to work together so students can receive needed services with fewer barriers. It also requires school systems to make their policies publicly available so families can better understand their options.

Outcomes: All of the education bills above are awaiting Governor’s approval and signature.

OCDD Will Have a New Name

HB1092 by Representative Rhonda Butler

This law changes the name of the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) to the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Supports.

The new name better reflects the people served and the supports the agency provides.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Council’s survey and shared feedback during this process.

Outcome: Awaiting Governor’s approval and signature.

Other Issues We Followed

The Council monitored many other issues during the 2026 Legislative Session.

Click here to view the full list.

What’s Next?

The legislative session may be over, but advocacy continues year-round.

One important way to stay involved is by sharing your experiences and opinions with your lawmakers.

You can:

• Click here to find your State Representative.
• Click here to find your State Senator.
• Click here to look up who represents you by entering your home address.

The Council and LaCAN will also be asking for community input on priorities for the 2027 Legislative Session.

Community input meetings will be held later this summer, and you can always share your ideas with your local LaCAN Leader.

Click here to find your LaCAN Leader and get involved.