Federal policy is often implemented with little consideration for how it will impact people with disabilities, but that could change under a new proposal.

A bill introduced this month in the U.S. Senate calls for the creation of an Office of Disability Policy.

Housed within the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, the proposed entity would be specifically tasked with reviewing legislative and regulatory plans to assess how they would affect Americans with disabilities.

If established, members of Congress would be able to request reviews looking at how legislation, guidance and regulations might impact those with disabilities and the individuals who support them, much like lawmakers can already seek input from GAO on matters generally.

Additionally, the legislation calls for the office to produce an annual report evaluating the impact of enacted bills and regulations on the disability community.

“The Office of Disability Policy Act would provide people with disabilities and the general public with unbiased information about how proposed bills could affect them,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., chief sponsor of the proposal.

Aside from Casey, the bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

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