Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9401
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:06:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who require long-term services and supports (LTSS). It clarifies and strengthens the integration mandate from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as interpreted in Olmstead v. L.C. (1999), by affirming a right to community-based services. The bill seeks to ensure services are provided in the most integrated setting, promote individual control, establish transition planning, and address disparities in access.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Definitions: Establishes terms such as "community-based" services (delivered in integrated settings with qualities like privacy, choice, and community access), "institution" (including nursing facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and isolating congregate settings), "individual with an LTSS disability," and "long-term service or support."
- Discrimination Prohibitions: Bars public entities and LTSS insurance providers from denying community-based LTSS to eligible individuals. Lists specific prohibited actions, including restrictive eligibility criteria, service caps, waiting lists, inadequate payment rates, failure to offer alternatives before institutionalization, and lack of housing access.
- Administration and Regulations: Directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review transition plans and address disparities via a task force. Requires regulations within two years, including self-evaluations (due in 36 months), transition plans (due in 54 months, with implementation up to 12 years), public participation, housing improvements, grievance procedures, and annual reporting.
- Exemptions and Enforcement: Provides a limited exemption for religious organizations. Allows civil actions by aggrieved individuals after two years, with remedies including damages, injunctions, and attorney's fees. Authorizes DOJ to pursue pattern-or-practice cases with penalties up to $200,000.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Expands the Olmstead integration mandate by codifying specific prohibitions and requiring measurable, enforceable transition plans with annual targets for shifting individuals and funding from institutions to community settings.
- Extends obligations to private LTSS insurance providers engaged in commerce, beyond public entities.
- Introduces detailed regulatory requirements for self-evaluations, housing access, and disparity identification, with timelines and public reporting not present in the ADA.
- Creates a private right of action for individuals with LTSS disabilities and standing rules tied to prima facie showings of eligibility and violation risk.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: States and local governments must conduct evaluations, submit transition plans for HHS approval, and shift resources to community-based services. Federal agencies, including those under Executive Order 13217, must align programs with the Act. DOJ gains expanded enforcement duties.
- On Citizens: Individuals with disabilities gain stronger protections against institutionalization, with options for self-directed services, informal caregiver support, and integrated housing. Potential for reduced institutional placements and improved access to community living, though implementation depends on state compliance.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions or impacts identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with LTSS disabilities and their families or caregivers.
- Public entities, including state and local governments providing or funding institutional care.
- LTSS insurance providers, both public and private.
- Housing authorities, service providers, and subcontractors involved in LTSS delivery.
- Federal agencies such as DOJ and HHS.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Builds directly on the ADA and Fair Housing Act through rules of construction that align provisions with existing civil rights standards, potentially raising questions about federalism in state service delivery.
- Establishes new enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties and injunctive relief to prevent institutionalization, without altering the scope of other federal laws.
- Includes a 12-year maximum transition period and religious organization preferences, balancing compliance burdens with practical and constitutional considerations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (55)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1] and 5 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (41 pages)