Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill creates a federal right for people with disabilities to receive long-term care services in their own homes and communities instead of being placed in institutions like nursing homes. It strengthens the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, which said unnecessary institutionalization is a form of discrimination.
• The bill covers anyone who needs help with daily tasks like bathing, eating, taking medication, or managing a household, and who is either currently in an institution or at risk of being placed in one without community-based support.
• States and insurance providers would be banned from using waiting lists, spending caps, or eligibility rules that block people from getting home and community-based care. They must also ensure affordable, accessible housing and adequate pay for care workers.
• The Department of Justice would enforce the law, with the power to investigate violations and bring lawsuits. Individuals could also sue on their own, and courts could award actual and punitive damages. Civil penalties could reach $100,000 for a first violation and $200,000 for later ones.
• States and providers must complete a self-evaluation of their systems within 36 months and submit transition plans within 54 months. Full compliance must be achieved no later than 12 years after the law is enacted.