The Legislature finished passing bills for the 2025-2026 legislative session on September 1, 2026. Governor Newsom’s final date to sign or veto Legislation was September 30, 2026. Of the 1,846 bills introduced in 2026, and a few bills left over from 2025, 1,160 were passed by the legislature. Of those, 1,040 were signed into law and 120 were vetoed.

Disability Rights California (DRC) sponsored one bill this year, AB 1099. DRC staff analyzed 661 bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments. We took positions on 100 of them by submitting letters, giving public comment at hearings, and meeting with legislators and their staff. We also advocated during the state budget process.

DRC’s top priority issue areas this year were healthcare access, housing access, mental health civil rights, preventing policing of people with disabilities, resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and access to TK-12 education for students with disabilities.

The following are some key highlights from the 2026 legislative year.

State Bills Affecting People with Disabilities

Sponsored Bill

AB 1099 (Bryan): Developmental services: initial intake – VETOED

DRC sponsored a two-year bill to improve the regional center eligibility process for systems-involved youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Although the bill did not pass, our work brought a spotlight to the need for coordination between the California Department of Social Services and Department of Developmental Services. This work resulted in more public data reporting and joint guidance expected in 2027.

Good News

Progress on alternatives to law enforcement as first responders

AB 1932 (Elhawary), which DRC supported, was signed. It will continue a grant program to promote community-based and trusted alternatives to law enforcement as first responders in crisis situations like mental health emergencies.

No new rollbacks to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) equal access rights

For years, legislators have introduced bills that would make it harder to enforce equal access rights under the ADA. These bills often put the “business community” against the disability community. They would give businesses more time to fix an access barrier rather than making them fix it right away. No bills like this were passed this year.

Harmful mental health bills fail to pass

DRC advocated against bills that would have expanded CARE Court, forced treatment, and conservatorships. We are excited that multiple bills like this did not pass this year such as AB 1676 (Stefani), AB 1782 (DeMaio), SB 28 (Umberg), SB 1016 (Blakespear), and SB 1221 (Stern).

Bad News

No further expansion in access to the Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver

AB 2081 (Stefani), which DRC supported, was vetoed. The Medi-Cal HCBA Waiver allows people to receive care in their homes rather than living in a facility. This bill would have made more waivers available and shortened the wait list.

Disappointing actions on housing policy

AB 647 (Mark González), which DRC opposed and the governor signed, will lead to more destruction of recreational vehicles that people are living in. AB 1165 (Gipson), which DRC supported and the governor vetoed, would have required the state to assess what it actually needs to invest to solve housing instability and homelessness, long term.

For more details about the outcome of DRC’s highest priority bills in 2026, visit our Public Policy page. 

State Budget Items Affecting People with Disabilities

Good News

More funding for students with disabilities

$2.4 billion per year will fund special education programs, a 43% increase from the last budget year. $1 billion per year will expand the community schools model which integrates academic instruction with health, mental health, social services, and academic supports.

No cuts to Medi-Cal In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

The governor’s initial proposed budget had three big cuts to IHSS, which provides services like personal care and housework for people with disabilities and older adults. Thanks to fierce community advocacy, none of these cuts were in the final budget.

Bad News

Lowered asset limit for some Medi-Cal programs

Some Medi-Cal programs for people with disabilities and older adults have an asset limit. That means that people with disabilities may risk losing access to healthcare if they save a certain amount of money or own a second vehicle or second home. Starting July 1, 2027, the asset limit for one person will be lowered from $130,000 to $21,000, cutting many people off of Medi-Cal. The governor’s May budget proposal would have lowered the limit to $2,000.

Forced mental health treatment

The budget includes $4.3 million each year through the 2029-30 budget year to implement SB 820 (Stern) from 2025, a bill that expands the forced use of psychiatric medication in county jails. DRC opposed that bill. 

Proposition 36 and criminalization

Proposition 36, which DRC opposed, was approved by voters in 2024. It reinstates harsher punishments for certain theft and drug crimes, increasing incarceration and disproportionately harming people of color and people with disabilities. The 2026-27 Budget funds $50 million over three years to implement Prop 36. This is on top of the $100 million approved last year.

For more detail about the outcomes of DRC’s highest-priority budget issues in 2026, visit DRC's Budget Summary page.

Community Engagement and Education

California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA) Day of Action at the Capitol

This past May, DRC was part of the second annual CDLA Day of Action at the Capitol where over 500 people gathered to support disability rights. The day featured a rally with dynamic speakers and engaging live performances, followed by a powerful march to legislative offices for meetings with state lawmakers and their staff.

Report: 2026 State of the State

In October, CDLA also published the 2026 State of the State report. This report covers 14 key issue areas and provides recommendations to close California’s accessibility gaps.

The Game Plan Podcast

DRC’s The Game Plan Podcast, hosted by Eric Harris, is now more than a year old. This podcast is a space to strategize and organize for the future of the disability rights movement. We have released 18 episodes so far, sharing conversations with passionate disability justice leaders.

Moving Forward

It is critical for people with disabilities to share their perspectives on state policy and budget issues. Our community’s presence in and around the capitol, and our calls and messages to legislators, make a difference. 

We are grateful to the advocates, peers, community members, legislators, and legislative staff we partner with to work toward intersectional positive change. DRC is eager to work with a new governor and new legislature next year. Together, we can create a California where all people with disabilities thrive.