Americans for Autism Advocacy Celebrates Legislative Victories in the First Quarter of 2025

Americans for Autism Advocacy submitted written testimony on legislation in Illinois, New Mexico, and Oregon. AFAA scored victories on seclusion and restraint legislation and standing up for privacy rights in special education students.

SUN PRAIRIE, WIS. – Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) is proud to celebrate three legislative victories during the first quarter of 2025. Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) submitted written testimony on proposed legislation in Illinois, Oregon, and New Mexico. The following section details AFAA’s advocacy efforts in these states.

Illinois – Defeated House Bill 2827 – AFAA President Kyle Maichle submitted a witness slip and written testimony to the Illinois House of Representatives Committee on Education Policy, opposing House Bill 2827 (HB 2827). AFAA’s testimony was part of the over 40,000 submitted witness slips in opposition to the bill. Concerns raised by AFAA included potential violations of federal privacy laws and the backdoor addition of a mandatory registry for private schools. AFAA felt that HB 2827 was truly a misleading omnibus bill that prevented private school stakeholders from adequately expressing their concerns. Following the bill’s failure to advance on April 11, 2025, the bill’s author, State Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Schaumburg), reportedly reacted with displeasure on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives, delivering an incoherent rant.

New Mexico – House Bill 260 Failed to Advance to the Senate – AFAA communicated its concerns regarding New Mexico House Bill 260 to State Representative Yanira Gurrolla (D-Albuquerque) and eventually submitted written testimony to the New Mexico Senate Committee on the Judiciary on March 7, 2025. AFAA’s multiple concerns included the bill’s need to consider the outcome of a significant California criminal case related to seclusion and restraint. Additionally, AFAA raised issues within HB 260 concerning the training of teachers and school staff on seclusion and restraint procedures. AFAA feels educational staff should be trained by certified professionals on evidence-based. behavior intervention techniques. Ultimately, HB 260 did not proceed to the Senate floor before the conclusion of New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session in March 2025.

Oregon – Removed Language in House Bill 3835 that Would Have Reinstated Physical Restraint in Schools – AFAA opposed Oregon House Bill 3835 in written testimony submitted to the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on March 20, 2025. The bill sought to reinstate the use of physical restraint in Oregon schools under certain conditions, despite the state already banning all forms of physical restraint, including prone restraints. AFAA President Kyle Maichle communicated AFAA’s opposition to Anna Williams, Executive Director of the System of Care Advisory Council at the Oregon Department of Human Services, in a letter dated May 5, 2025. Ms. Williams subsequently informed AFAA’s President in writing that the seclusion and restraint language would be removed from HB 3835, addressing AFAA’s concerns about the creation of a more dangerous environment for special education students. AFAA is proud to get the Oregon Legislature to rewrite this bill before becoming bad policy.

AFAA celebrates its successful advocacy for the neurodivergent community in state capitols and Washington, D.C., throughout the first quarter of 2025.