Governor Shapiro Signs Three New Executive Orders Expanding Protections for Pennsylvanians with Disabilities and Autism, Building on Three Years of Historic Support and Investment

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April 15, 2026 - Harrisburg, PA

Governor Shapiro Signs Three New Executive Orders Expanding Protections for Pennsylvanians with Disabilities and Autism, Building on Three Years of Historic Support and Investment

Governor Josh Shapiro signed three executive orders to strengthen the rights and protections of Pennsylvanians with disabilities and autism. Under the Governor's leadership, the Commonwealth has made historic investments in their support, care, and freedom to live on their own terms - and these executive orders build on that progress.

Effective immediately, the three executive orders will reaffirm the Commonwealth's disability nondiscrimination policy, establish new data privacy protections, reauthorizes the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council, and create a new Governor's advisory commission focused solely on people with disabilities.

"Far too often, decisions have been made about people with disabilities, but not with them," said Governor Shapiro. "These new executive orders that I signed today will not only improve services for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, they'll also give this community a real seat at the table - helping my Administration bring about real change and deliver on policies that Pennsylvanians with disabilities actually need. Here, we treat people with respect and dignity, and we believe in listening to Pennsylvanians with disabilities and giving them a seat at the table as policy advisors."

Speaker List:
Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, PA Department of Human Services
Governor Josh Shapiro
Sherri Landis, Director, The Arc of Pennsylvania
Lisa Butler, Chair, Developmental Disabilities Council Member
Tom Bak and Erin Lopes

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