Legislation That Shapes Your Family's Access to Care
Federal and state legislation directly affects the funding available for autism services, animal-assisted therapy programs, and school-based support systems.
When new bills are passed, they can expand insurance coverage, create new grant opportunities for community farms, or increase the number of respite care hours families can access. Staying informed is the first step in effective advocacy.
Key Legislative Facts
Why Legislation Matters to Your Family
Advocacy isn't just for professionals; it's the bridge between a family's needs and the resources that fulfill them.
Funding Follows Policy
The services your child receives — therapy, school support, respite care — are only available if federal and state funding reaches the programs that provide them. Every bill we track here has a direct line to what families can access and afford.
Farm Programs Need Advocacy
Animal-assisted therapy and farm-based programs like ours are not yet fully recognized under most insurance or government funding frameworks. Legislative advocacy is what changes this. Your story and your voice carry weight with lawmakers.
You Don't Have to Follow It Alone
Keeping up with legislation is a full-time job. This page is designed to give you the key information in plain language so you can focus on your family — and so that when opportunities arise to make your voice heard, you're ready.
Federal Legislation — Current Status
Bills and laws moving through the United States Congress that directly affect autism families, therapy programs, and educational access.
Public Law 118-—Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024
Reauthorizes federal autism research and support programs through fiscal year 2029, providing nearly $2 billion in funding. Covers programs at the CDC, NIH, and HRSA including surveillance, early detection research, workforce training, and services for autistic people across all life stages.
H.R. 4086Autism Family Caregivers Act
Would establish a five-year federal pilot program awarding grants to nonprofits, hospitals, community health centers, and academic medical centers to provide evidence-based caregiver skills training to families of children with autism and developmental disabilities. Authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030, with grants of at least $500,000 each and coverage in at least 25 sites across 15 states.
S. 1277 / H.R. 2598IDEA Full Funding Act
Proposes mandatory annual increases in federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) over 10 years, with the goal of finally reaching the 40% of special education costs that Congress originally promised in 1975. Currently, federal funding covers only approximately 10–13% of promised levels, leaving states and local school districts to absorb the shortfall.
H.R. 7891People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act
Would allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to pay for veterinary care and pet insurance. Importantly, service animals trained to assist people with disabilities — including therapy animals — would have no cap on covered veterinary expenses.
State-Level Legislation — What to Watch
Federal law sets the floor, but states determine much of how autism services are funded and delivered. Here are the key state-level policy areas that affect Indiana families and those in neighboring states.
Autism Insurance Coverage Requirements
Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky all have autism insurance mandates requiring private insurers to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) and related autism therapies. Coverage levels and age caps vary by state. Families should verify their plan's specific requirements each year.
Check your state's mandateMedicaid Home & Community-Based Waivers
Indiana's Family Supports Waiver and Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver provide funding for therapy, respite care, and community-based programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Waitlists can be long — families are encouraged to apply early.
Indiana FSSA Waiver InfoEmerging: Farm-Based Therapy Recognition
Indiana and several neighboring states are beginning to explore formal recognition of farm-based and nature-based therapy programs as qualifying services under developmental disability funding. Advocacy from families and providers is key to advancing this recognition.
Advocate at the state levelOfficial Sources & Advocacy Organizations
These are the organizations and government resources we use to track legislative developments.
Make Your Voice Heard
Use this tool to send a plain-language message to your state or federal representatives in support of expanded farm-based therapy access and autism services funding.
