Implications of Governor Shapiro’s Executive Orders and Impact on HCBS Providers
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House Passes Bill That Would Enshrine LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Protections in State Law
Notice Regarding IPRC Webinar “Family-Centered Care”
Due to a widespread technical outage, IPRC will need to reschedule the “Family-Centered Care” webinar that was scheduled for today, April 20, at 11:00 am. The new date and time will be Monday, April 27, at 1:00 pm. If you have already registered, you do not need to re-register.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact Cindi Hobbes if you have any questions.
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Against Conversion Therapy Ban
On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8–1 against a Colorado law that prohibited licensed mental health professionals from providing “conversion therapy” to minors. The case, Chiles v. Salazar, centered on whether the state could restrict certain counseling conversations aimed at changing a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Key points of the decision:
- The Court held that Colorado’s law violated the First Amendment, concluding it restricted counselors’ speech based on viewpoint.
- The majority, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, said the statute regulated what therapists could say, which triggered strict constitutional scrutiny.
- The Court determined the state’s attempt to frame the ban as regulation of professional conduct was insufficient because the therapy involved speech rather than physical treatment.
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the lone dissent, arguing states should be able to regulate harmful healthcare practices and protect minors.
The ruling may affect similar bans in more than 20 other states, putting them at risk of legal challenges. Supporters say the decision protects free speech and religious expression in counseling. Critics, including medical and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, warn that it could weaken protections for youth from practices widely considered harmful.
‘A Fundamental Right’: PA House Again Passes Bill to End State’s Unenforced Gay Marriage Ban
Call for Proposals Issued for Alessi, Levan, Kebles Virtual Diversity Summit
RCPA Invites You to Learn About Current Threats to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University to Host Workshops on Talking About Sexuality
Talking About Sexuality: A Workshop for Parents of Youth and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Session 1: Wednesday, February 11, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Session 2: Monday, May 11, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Register Here
Talking about sexuality with your loved ones with disabilities can be difficult. As parents and family members, we often worry whether they can be safe from harm in relationships. This workshop from Elevatus Training, LLC will help you become more comfortable and prepared for these conversations. Topics include:
- What is Sexual Health?
- Barriers to Communicating
- Human Sexual Development
- Tips for Talking
This training is free, provided virtually, and features small and large group discussions. Registration is required.
Sessions are capped at 40 participants. Automatic closed captioning and image descriptions will be provided. Contact Temple University via email to request additional access needs or questions.
This workshop is hosted and facilitated by the Healthy Sexuality Project at the Institute on Disabilities. This workshop is written and designed by Elevatus Training, LLC. The Healthy Sexuality Project is a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series (DDPCS) February 2026: Bringing America Greatness on February 19
Bringing America Greatness — Serving the Disability Community With Cultural Competency/Do No Harm
February 19, 2026
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Register Here
Session Description:
Cultural Competency is necessary for every American, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, economic status, disability, or handicap. Being different does not guarantee the ability to relate positively to our diversity, in a personal or professional way. This training will help develop skills that focus on living-working-playing-learning together. These skills must be practiced and learned across all sectors of our society. Emphasis will be placed on equity as a right for all Americans embraced by leaders of people everywhere from birth to adulthood. Thus, cultural competency as a skill set is both beyond but essential to diversity and inclusion efforts, providing a chemistry for “greatness” in America.
The session is free, but registration is required, and attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please review the flyer for additional details.
The session will be offered virtually via the Zoom platform. The Zoom link for joining the session will be sent to the email you used to register. This link will be unique to your registration. Please do not share this link.
Send questions on registration electronically.
Trump Administration Issues Policy Changes on Provision of Gender-Affirming Care
On January 28, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14187 (Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation), directing federal agencies to cut off federal funding and support for gender-affirming care for people under age 19, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery.
On December 18, 2025, health officials from the Trump administration announced several additional policy changes that, if finalized, will have the effect of essentially banning gender-affirming care for transgender young people, even in states where it remains legal.
One rule would prohibit Medicaid from covering any medical care provided to transgender patients younger than age 18 and prohibit reimbursement though CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) for gender-affirming care for patients under 19.
Additionally, all Medicare and Medicaid funding would be blocked for any services at hospitals that provide pediatric gender-affirming care. This means that hospitals and doctors that perform gender-affirming care on minors will have to forgo federal Medicare and Medicaid funding under the new proposed rules. Virtually every hospital in the country relies on this funding, so the rule would have a wide-ranging impact and could likely make gender-affirming care inaccessible nationwide.
The proposed rules would exclude gender dysphoria not caused by physical impairment from civil-rights health care protections, reducing legal safeguards against discrimination in medical care.
This multi-pronged plan from DHS is part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to limit gender-affirming care, and if finalized, could have a profound impact on care delivery for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
