Overview
The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) created its 2026 Legislative Agenda to help build a barrier-free Minnesota, a state where people with disabilities can live independently, make their own choices, access the services they need, and fully participate in their communities.
This agenda focuses on equity, accessibility, and inclusion. It highlights policies that remove everyday barriers, protect essential services, and make sure public systems work for people—not against them.
MCD’s legislative priorities reflect what we heard directly from Minnesotans with disabilities, family members, caregivers, service providers, and community organizations across the state.
How Was This Agenda Developed?
MCD’s legislative agenda is shaped by the people most affected by disability policy. It is developed over a year and grounded in real-life experiences.
Input was gathered through:
- MCD’s Legislative Priorities Survey, with nearly 800 responses from people in almost all of Minnesota’s 87 counties
- Conversations with people with disabilities, family members, and advocates across the state
- Ongoing discussions with legislators and leaders from state agencies and counties
Survey responses and community input were reviewed to understand what matters most to people with disabilities—and where current systems create the biggest barriers to independence, stability, and participation.
What Do the Legislative Sessions Look Like?
Minnesota’s Legislature works on a two-year cycle.
- 2026 is a policy year, when lawmakers mainly focus on changing laws, rules, and processes.
- 2027 is a budget year, when most funding decisions are made.
Because of this, not every priority in this agenda includes a funding request. Some priorities focus on changes that could happen without new funding. Others are included to raise awareness; center lived experience and prepare for future policy or funding decisions.
Many disability-related reforms take time. These priorities can help guide discussion and planning of the 2026 non-budget session and the 2027 budget session too.
2026 Legislative Priorities
- People-Centered Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Reform
- Stabilize Home and Community Supports
- Improve Access to Affordable, High-Quality Health Care
- Modernize Outdated Systems and Reduce Administrative Barriers
- Expand Accessible, Affordable Housing and Strengthen Protections
- Improve Infrastructure Access Statewide
- Continue to Work on: Transition Away from Subminimum Wage
1. People-Centered Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Reform
Protecting people, workers, and services while ensuring accountability
MCD supports a fair and people-centered approach to fraud prevention—one that protects people who rely on disability services and the workers who provide them, while holding the right parties accountable.
Priority actions include:
- Clearly defining fraud in law, and separating it from paperwork mistakes or administrative errors, so penalties match the seriousness of the situation
- Making sure people do not lose services during investigations, including temporary payments and fast transition planning
- Improving Medicaid oversight so problems are caught early and handled fairly, people do not lose services they rely on, and accountability is focused on the right parties
- Protecting frontline workers, by directing investigations toward owners, administrators, and billing systems—not automatically cutting hours or pay for uninvolved staff
- Increasing transparency, including public reporting on:
- Payment holds
- Provider suspensions
- How many people are affected
- How long services are disrupted
- How long it takes to resolve issues
2. Stabilize Home and Community Supports
Supporting the people who give and receive care
Home and community-based services help people with disabilities live, work, and take part in their communities. MCD supports policies that protect stability and dignity—for both the people receiving services and the workers providing them.
Priority actions include:
- Strengthening the PCA and DSP workforce through better pay, consistent statewide training, and clear career pathways
- Preventing service loss during investigations, and requiring backup plans so people are not left without care
- Stabilizing CFSS with clear statewide rules and at least 90 days of protection when services change
- Improving communication between DHS, counties, providers, and communities so people receive clear, timely, and consistent information
3. Improve Access to Affordable, High-Quality Health Care
Making care easier to access and use
People with disabilities should be able to get health care that is affordable, accessible, and responsive to their needs, no matter where they live.
Priority actions include:
- Lowering MA-EPD premiums, reducing sudden benefit losses, speeding up eligibility decisions, and protecting Minnesota’s Medicaid program during federal changes
- Increasing the use of accessible medical equipment, such as lift systems, adjustable exam tables, and wheelchair-accessible scales
- Supporting rural clinics, so people do not have to travel long distances or wait months for care
- Expanding coverage for medically necessary services, including rare disease treatments and essential therapies
- Improving dental access, including studying provider participation in Medical Assistance and exploring accessible mobile dental services
4. Modernize Outdated Systems and Reduce Administrative Barriers
Cutting red tape and reducing stress
Public systems should make it easier—not harder—for people to get the services they need. MCD supports reforms that reduce delays, repeated paperwork, and inconsistent decisions.
Priority actions include:
- Setting clear timelines for MnCHOICES, SMRT, and reassessments, including simple “no-change” options when nothing has changed
- Creating an oversight and liaison role for CDCS and FMS to help resolve complaints, investigate problems, and elevate systemic issues
- Making sure Waiver Reimagine budgets reflect real needs, follow Olmstead goals, and avoid arbitrary service cuts
- Setting statewide case-management standards, including reasonable caseload limits and public dashboards showing delays and differences across counties
5. Expand Accessible, Affordable Housing and Strengthen Protections
Supporting safe, stable places to live
Accessible housing is essential for independence, health, and community life.
Priority actions include:
- Creating a statewide Accessibility Retrofit Fund to help modify existing homes so people can live safely and independently
- Strengthening tenant protections, including mold cleanup and emergency repair requirements
- Establishing a housing accessibility liaison role to identify barriers, help resolve tenant concerns, and recommend fixes to housing agencies
6. Improve Infrastructure Access Statewide
Building communities people can use
MCD supports infrastructure policies that reflect how people move through their communities every day.
Priority actions include:
- Setting statewide accessibility standards for rideshare and new transportation options, including training, non-discrimination rules, and wheelchair-accessible vehicle goals
- Directing MnDOT to lead a statewide pedestrian accessibility plan, developed with people with disabilities, to ensure sidewalks, curb ramps, and signals work year-round
- Improving accessible parking, including updated standards, better enforcement, and more accessible spaces where they are most needed
- Funding inclusive playgrounds, so children of all abilities can play and connect together
7. Continue to Work on: Transition Away from Subminimum Wage
Supporting workers while recognizing family needs
MCD supports a careful transition away from subminimum wage practices—one that respects the dignity and goals of workers with disabilities, while recognizing the needs of families and caregivers.
Priority actions include:
- Supporting competitive, integrated employment for all workers
- Helping employers’ transition, through training, incentives, and support
- Investing in job coaching, benefits counseling, and supported employment, while also expanding respite and transition supports for families
- Improving data tracking and oversight, to make sure changes increase—not reduce—opportunity
What Matters Most to You?
MCD’s legislative agenda is strongest when it reflects lived experience. Many of these priorities come from years of listening, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
If there is an issue affecting your life or community that you believe should be considered for a future legislative agenda, MCD welcomes your input. Please contact Dr. Joel Runnels to share what matters most to you.
Past Sessions
Looking for legislative agendas from past sessions? Visit the Legislative Sessions Archives.