Federal Successes (2017- Present)
- Congressional directive to NIH to establish the INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome project, launched in 2018.
- ABLE to Work Act, enacted into law in 2018, will allow an ABLE account’s designated beneficiary to contribute an additional amount beyond the current limitation on contributions ($15,000 for 2018), up to the lesser of the Federal poverty line for a one-person household (currently $12,140); or the individual’s compensation for the taxable year.
- ABLE Financial Planning Act, enacted into law in 2018, will allow ABLE beneficiaries to roll over regular 529 accounts to 529A (ABLE) accounts up to the annual maximum contribution.
- Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, enacted in 2018, will expand research on treatments for congenital heart defects and encourage lifelong, specialized care for patients.
- Kevin and Avonte’s Law, enacted into law in 2018, to enhance the safety of individuals with DS who wander.
- Congressional directive to the National Council on Disability to serve as an interagency coordinator on ABLE Act implementation launched in 2018.
- In 2019, the ACE Kids Act was passed to address obstacles to the coordination of care in state-based Medicaid programs for children with complex medical conditions who may seek care across state lines.
- In 2020, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization was signed into law and included a provision that would provide care givers and long term care services to those with Alzheimer’s at any age.
State Success (2017- Present)
ABLE Programs launched in the following states:
- Delaware
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Arizona
- Wyoming
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- New Jersey
- Washington
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
Sub-minimum wage legislation in:
- Seattle, WA
- Alaska
- Reno, NV
- Texas
- Oregon
- Kings County, WA
- Maine
Organ Transplant legislation:
- Oregon
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Louisiana
- Indiana
- Virginia