A PIVOTAL MOVE OF THE PEN FROM PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO TODAY AS HE SIGNS THREE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AT ONCE. THOSE THREE ORDERS ARE SIGNED AT THE STATE CAPITOL, MEANT TO BETTER PROTECT PENNSYLVANIANS WITH DISABILITIES AND AUTISM. THE ORDER STRENGTHENED ANTI-DISCRIMINATION RULES, ADD NEW PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR PERSONAL DATA, AND RENEW THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL. IT ALSO CREATES A NEW ADVISORY COMMISSION TO GIVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A BIGGER VOICE IN STATE GOVERNMENT. TODAY IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF SOME OF THAT HOOPS. GIVE THOSE PARENTS A LITTLE MORE PEACE OF MIND, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NOT ONLY HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, BUT THAT THEY ARE THE ONES DRIVING THE CHANGE HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH. AND T
Gov. Josh Shapiro signs orders to enhance protection and representation for residents with disabilities
Updated: 6:37 PM EDT Apr 15, 2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed three executive orders at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Wednesday to enhance protections and representation for residents with disabilities and autism. The orders strengthen anti-discrimination rules, introduce new privacy protections for personal data, renew the Developmental Disabilities Council, and create a new advisory commission to give people with disabilities a greater voice in state government. “Today is an attempt to get rid of some of those hoops, give those parents a little more peace of mind, and make sure that people with disabilities not only have a seat at the table, but that they are the ones driving the change here in the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said. Shapiro’s office stated that hundreds of thousands of people in Pennsylvania live with disabilities.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed three executive orders at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Wednesday to enhance protections and representation for residents with disabilities and autism.
The orders strengthen anti-discrimination rules, introduce new privacy protections for personal data, renew the Developmental Disabilities Council, and create a new advisory commission to give people with disabilities a greater voice in state government.
“Today is an attempt to get rid of some of those hoops, give those parents a little more peace of mind, and make sure that people with disabilities not only have a seat at the table, but that they are the ones driving the change here in the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro’s office stated that hundreds of thousands of people in Pennsylvania live with disabilities.