State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act
Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced
Summary
Centers disability rights in U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance. This bill would create a permanent Office of International Disability Rights at the State Department, require a public disability-in-diplomacy policy within 180 days, and authorize dedicated funding and a strategic framework for country action plans and partnerships.
Show full summary
- People with disabilities abroad would see disability inclusion written into country action plans, annual disaggregated reporting on spending and results by country and recipient gender where feasible, and required consultation with missions and disability-led civil society.
- Department of State employees and locally hired staff would get stronger hiring and accommodation rules, centralized funding for workplace accommodations including for injuries from national security operations, and a requirement that embassies, websites, communications, and diplomatic residences be accessible.
- U.S. diplomatic capacity would expand through mandatory disability training for all personnel and chiefs of mission, creation of the Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship with at least two fellows annually, and twice-yearly implementation briefings to relevant congressional committees.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State Dept staff training and supports
If enacted, the State Department would have to provide disability policy training to all civil and Foreign Service staff and chiefs of mission, including country-specific risks for Foreign Service officers. The Secretary would create the Judy Heumann Fellowship, selecting at least two fellows each year for six‑month to one‑year placements and reimbursing one international and one domestic trip per fellow. The Department would fund accommodations for locally employed embassy and consulate staff from a central reasonable accommodation fund, including for injuries tied to U.S. national security work. The Under Secretary would also have to ensure equal access to hiring and overseas assignments for employees and family members with disabilities, consistent with veterans' preference rules.
New State Dept disability office
If enacted, the State Department would be required to keep an Office of International Disability Rights led by an Ambassador-at-Large nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary would have to submit an International Disability Rights Strategy within one year and then report yearly on results and a detailed accounting of related spending, with data broken down by country, gender, account, and fiscal year where feasible. The Department would also have to give Congress a report and briefing within 180 days of enactment and every year after. The bill would authorize such sums as may be necessary starting in fiscal year 2026 to carry out these duties.
Accessible embassies and hiring rules
If enacted, the Under Secretary for Management would have to make U.S. embassies, consulates, websites, phones, and other public communications accessible to people with disabilities. Diplomatic residences would have to meet adaptable accessibility standards. The Department would also have to use local contractors that meet federal affirmative hiring rules to hire people with disabilities, including combat-injured workers, and consult Labor and Justice to ensure contractor compliance with disability laws.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov