H.R. 7990

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7990 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7990

To provide for an international disability rights strategy, and for 
other purposes. provide for an international disability rights 
strategy, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 18, 2026

Ms. Titus (for herself and Mr. Olszewski) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for an international disability rights strategy, and for 
other purposes. provide for an international disability rights 
strategy, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``State Department Disability Policy 
and Accommodations Act''.

SEC. 2. DISABILITY RIGHTS IN FOREIGN POLICY.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
international disability rights are foundational to achieving global 
peace, stability, and prosperity, and should be fully championed as a 
focus of United States diplomacy and development efforts.
(b) Formal Policy Guidance on Disability Policy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, through the 
Ambassador-at-Large for International Disability Rights and in 
consultation with relevant foreign affairs agencies, shall 
develop and adopt a formal policy for advancing disability 
rights through United States diplomacy and foreign assistance.
(2) Matters to be included.--The policy required under 
paragraph (1) should direct the Department of State's approach 
to championing disability rights through the conduct of United 
States diplomacy and development.
(3) Consultation.--In developing and adopting the policy, 
the Secretary shall consult with--
(A) United States missions and regional and 
functional bureaus;
(B) individuals with disabilities, civil society 
organizations, international nongovernmental 
organizations, and international organizations;
(C) women, indigenous persons, youth, and survivors 
of violence living with disabilities; and
(D) combat-injured persons living with 
disabilities, including United States security partners 
and allies, in countries and regions receiving United 
States security assistance.
(4) Policy implementation.--The Secretary shall update the 
Foreign Affairs Manual to reflect the policy required under 
paragraph (1).
(5) Public availability.--The Secretary shall publish such 
policy on a publicly available website of the Department.

SEC. 3. OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS.

(a) In General.--Section 5104 of the Department of State 
Authorization Act of 2021 (division D of Public Law 117-81; 135 Stat. 
2345) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``should be 
established'' and inserting ``shall be established'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as 
subsections (c) through (e), respectively;
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
subsection:
``(b) Purpose.--The Office shall coordinate and elevate United 
States global engagement on disability rights policy, ensuring that the 
Department of State and relevant Federal agencies promote 
accessibility, equality of opportunity, and the protection of the 
rights of persons with disabilities globally.'';
(4) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``The Office should'' and inserting 
``The Office shall'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), 
(5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), 
(5), (6), (7), (8), and (12), respectively;
(C) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following new 
paragraph:
``(1) coordinate all international disability policy and 
international assistance provided by the United States 
Government, in consultation with relevant and appropriate 
regional and functional bureaus of the Department and Chiefs of 
Mission, to support efforts abroad to promote and strengthen 
respect for the rights of persons with disabilities;''; and
(D) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by 
striking ``disabilities; and'' and inserting the 
following: ``disabilities;
``(9) coordinate disaggregated data collection regarding 
the United States Government's foreign assistance and 
diplomatic activities promoting the rights of persons with 
disabilities, in coordination with the Secretary of State and 
the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, including to the 
extent feasible--
``(A) a detailed accounting of spending by Federal 
departments and agencies, including, for each Federal 
department and agency, the statutory source of 
spending;
``(B) the amounts spent; and
``(C) activities supported to the extent 
practicable and appropriate;
``(10) establish interagency details or rotation 
opportunities for relevant Federal agencies to be housed within 
the Office for the purposes of--
``(A) augmenting the Office's ability to share best 
practices on advancing disability rights policy with 
United States missions and with international partners; 
and
``(B) strengthening the Office's United States 
interagency coordination efforts;
``(11) work with relevant bureaus to promote the use of 
existing educational and cultural exchanges with international 
disability policymakers and advocates; and'';
(5) by amending subsection (d), as so redesignated, to read 
as follows:
``(d) Ambassador-at-Large for International Disability Rights.--The 
Office shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for International 
Disability Rights, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, to advise the Secretary of State 
on matters related to disability rights. The Ambassador-at-Large should 
be a person of recognized distinction in the field of disability 
rights. The Ambassador-at-Large shall be provided with appropriate 
funding and staff consistent with the duties of the Office and with 
Department of State guidance on the status of an Office.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following new sub-section:
``(f) International Disability Rights Strategy.--
``(1) Strategy.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the Ambassador-at-Large appointed under 
subsection (d), and in consultation with the heads of other 
relevant Federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations, 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
strategy to--
``(A) achieve the purposes described in subsection 
(b);
``(B) identify target countries and regions for 
prioritization of the Department's international 
assistance efforts related to the rights of persons 
with disabilities;
``(C) identify United States foreign assistance 
resources to be used to implement the strategy;
``(D) establish country action plans to advance the 
rights of persons with disabilities; and
``(E) develop partnerships with the private sector, 
nongovernmental organizations, international 
organizations, and research and academic institutions.
``(2) Annual report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than one year after 
submission of the strategy required under paragraph 
(1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State, 
in consultation with the Ambassador-at-Large for 
International Disability Rights and relevant Federal 
agencies, should provide the appropriate congressional 
committees with a written description of results 
achieved, including--
``(i) progress on implementation of the 
strategy;
``(ii) an assessment of efforts to 
coordinate United States international 
disability rights activities and initiatives 
with foreign governments, international 
organizations, nongovernmental organizations, 
and other key stakeholders related to the 
rights of persons with disabilities;
``(iii) a detailed accounting of spending 
by the Department of State, the United States 
Agency for International Development, and other 
relevant Federal agencies on United States 
international disability rights assistance to 
foreign governments international organizations 
related to the rights of persons with 
disabilities; and
``(iv) the number of educational and 
cultural exchanges focused on advancing 
international disability rights.
``(B) Disaggregation of data.--The data submitted 
under subparagraph (A) should, where feasible, be 
disaggregated by country, gender of recipients of 
assistance, funding account, funding levels, and fiscal 
year of funding.
``(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In 
this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional 
committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of State $6,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030, to achieve the purposes described in 
subsection (b) of section 5104 of the Department of State Authorization 
Act of 2021, as amended by subsection (a) of this section.

SEC. 4. DEPARTMENTAL HIRING AND FACILITIES ACCESSIBILITY.

(a) In General.--The Under Secretary of State for Management shall, 
in consultation with the Office of International Disability Rights, 
ensure equal access to hiring and recruitment and overseas assignments, 
for the Civil Service and Foreign Service officers and locally employed 
staff with disabilities and their family members with chronic medical 
conditions or disabilities, consistent with the provision of a 
veterans' preference in accordance with section 2108 of title 5, United 
States Code, and related sections and with due consideration for 
locally employed staff who sustained service-related disabilities while 
serving as security partners or allies in support of United States 
military or intelligence operations.
(b) Duties.--The Under Secretary shall--
(1) ensure that United States embassies, consulates, and 
leased facilities abroad are in compliance with United States 
Access Board standards, including accessibility to people with 
disabilities, including by--
(A) making websites and other forms of 
communication accessible to people with disabilities 
and providing reasonable accommodations to program 
participants;
(B) ensuring accessibility of United States 
Government facilities by contracting with local 
contractors and subcontractors that meet the 
requirements of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 793) to affirmatively hire workers 
with disabilities, including combat-injured persons 
with disabilities who served alongside United States 
forces or in United States-backed conflicts; and
(C) consulting with the Department of Labor's 
Office of Federal Contracts Compliance to ensure all 
Department of State contractors are compliant with the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12101 et seq.) and section 503 of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 793);
(2) ensure that the policies and practices for the 
recruitment and placement of Foreign Service officers and their 
families encourage the hiring and placement of people with 
disabilities in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.);
(3) consult with the Disability Rights Section of the Civil 
Rights Division of the Department of Justice to ensure that 
Department of State hiring is compliant with the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and section 
501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791); and
(4) ensure that policies are in place for hiring locally 
employed staff in embassies and consulates outside the United 
States to ensure that accommodations are offered, provided, and 
funded from the Department's centralized reasonable 
accommodation fund, including specialized accommodations for 
injuries sustained in support of United States national 
security interests.
(c) Facility Accessibility.--The Under Secretary for Management 
shall, in consultation with the Office of International Disability 
Rights--
(1) ensure that embassies and consulates and their services 
are accessible to people with disabilities, including with 
respect to--
(A) the physical accessibility of facilities 
housing embassies and consulates;
(B) websites of United States embassies and 
consulates;
(C) public internet and telecommunications; and
(D) other means of communication with United States 
residents and the general public; and
(2) ensure diplomatic residences meet the adaptable 
standards set by the Director of the Bureau of Overseas 
Buildings Operations.

SEC. 5. TRAINING.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall require online or in-
person disability policy training for all civil service and Foreign 
Service personnel of the Department of State and chiefs of mission, 
including on--
(1) how to develop policies and programs that reflect 
United States disability policy priorities;
(2) how to help ensure a work environment in compliance 
with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973;
(3) how to conduct analyses of relevant laws and 
programming;
(4) how to engage local organizations led by and focused on 
people with disabilities;
(5) how to help remove barriers to seeking and accessing 
United States foreign assistance for organizations serving 
people with disabilities; and
(6) ensuring United States humanitarian response 
incorporates and elevates the needs of people with 
disabilities, in line with established international 
frameworks, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee 
(IASC) guidelines and the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with 
Disabilities in Humanitarian Action.
(b) Country-Specific and Cultural Considerations.--The Secretary 
shall ensure that training for Foreign Service officers under 
subsection (a) includes country-specific and cultural considerations.
(c) Foreign Service Officers.--Section 708(a)(1) of the Foreign 
Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4028(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and 
inserting a semicolon;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); 
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new 
subparagraph:
``(D) instruction on recognizing risks and 
vulnerabilities of individuals with disabilities in 
specific country contexts, addressing needs of people 
with disabilities in policymaking and outreach at 
United States embassies and analysis of disability-
inclusive laws and programming in local country 
contexts; and''.

SEC. 6. REPORT AND BRIEFING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State 
shall provide to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
report and briefing on the steps taken to implement this Act.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The report and briefing required under 
subsection (a) shall include--
(1) an explanation of policies and programs to fulfill--
(A) the duties of the Office of International 
Disability Rights established under section 4; and
(B) the training requirements under section 6;
(2) a description of the status of efforts to mainstream 
disability policy through the conduct of United States 
diplomatic outreach and programming without regard to whether 
such programming is specifically directed toward people with 
disabilities;
(3) an explanation of disability-specific programming 
across the Department;
(4) a description of the status of accessible facilities in 
all foreign missions, as required under section 5(c);
(5) a description of any policy, programming, or human 
resources gaps to mainstreaming disability rights policy 
throughout the Department, and plans to address gaps through 
appropriate mechanisms;
(6) a description of progress made on the realization of 
the rights of people with disabilities as a result of 
Department policies and programming;
(7) an explanation of the current status of the 
Department's evidence gathering and improved systematic 
disability data collection, including the use of disaggregated 
data, in order to ensure that programming, monitoring, and 
reporting reflect and address the risks and needs of people 
with disabilities; and
(8) recommendations for legislative actions to fully 
implement the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (7).

SEC. 7. JUDY HEUMANN FOREIGN AND CIVIL SERVICE DISABILITY FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) disability rights are foundational to human rights, 
national security, and positive economic growth and 
development; and
(2) the Department of State shall seek to expand 
professional development opportunities for civil service and 
Foreign Service personnel to become better equipped to advance 
disability rights abroad and to ensure an accessible and 
inclusive workplace at the Department and United States 
missions abroad.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
Department of State.
(2) Organization of persons with disabilities.--The term 
``organization of persons with disabilities'' means a 
nongovernmental civil society organization, including a think 
tank, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, academic 
institution, or other organization, that--
(A) includes staff leadership and a board of 
directors the majority of which consists of people with 
disabilities; and
(B) serves people with disabilities.
(c) Establishment.--The Secretary of State shall establish and 
administer the Judy Heumann Foreign Service Disability Fellowship 
(referred in this section as the ``Fellowship'') to expand Department 
expertise on disability rights policy formulation, execution, 
negotiation, and advocacy. The Secretary shall be responsible for 
designing, implementing, and operating the Fellowship program, 
including setting standards for successful completion of each 
fellowship.
(d) Selection of Fellows.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall establish 
criteria for selecting the fellows and shall play a central 
role in selecting at least 2 fellows for the Fellowship each 
year.
(2) Selection and placement.--The Secretary of State 
shall--
(A) make efforts to recruit fellowship candidates 
who reflect the diversity of the United States;
(B) select fellows from among entry-, mid-, and 
senior-level Foreign Service and civil service 
personnel;
(C) approve fellowship placements between 6 months 
to one year in duration;
(D) facilitate fellowship placement with an 
organization of persons with disabilities;
(E) for each fellow, establish performance goals 
and performance indicators as part of fellows' annual 
review process; and
(F) reimburse one international trip and one 
domestic trip per fellow.
(e) Fellowship Activities.--Fellows participating in the Fellowship 
program shall--
(1) study the United Nations Convention on the Rights of 
Persons with Disabilities, done at New York December 12, 2006;
(2) attend the Conference of States Parties to the 
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) 
along with one member of the hosting organization of persons 
with disabilities; and
(3) carry out such other activities as the Ambassador-at-
Large for International Disability Rights determines 
appropriate.
(f) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
completion of the Fellowship by the initial cohort of fellows selected 
under subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State 
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
report on the implementation of the Fellowship, including--
(1) a summary of the cohort of fellows who completed a 
fellowship during the preceding one-year period;
(2) a description of the fellowships and placements, 
including feedback on implementation and lessons learned; and
(3) an analysis of trends relating to the diversity of each 
cohort of fellows since the establishment of the Fellowship 
program.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026 and 
each subsequent fiscal year to carry out this Act.
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