What is it the Disability Support Services Bill?
A legislative framework for DSS-funded disability support services, which are allocated to eligible disabled people, their whānau and carers.
The legislative process
Bills are proposals to make a new law or to change an existing one. Only Parliament can pass a bill. Each bill goes through several stages, giving MPs and the public the chance to have their say.
The Disability Support Services Bill was introduced on 18 May 2026, with its first reading taking place on 21 May 2026. It is currently at the select committee stage and submissions are being accepted until 12 June 2026. You can read the Bill here and make a submission here.
Why has it been introduced?
This Bill is intended as the first phase of providing a legislative framework for DSS. A further phase is envisioned that will address things such as safeguarding, information gathering, and appeals and complaints processes.
The Bill responds to the Supreme Court judgment regarding paid family care in Fleming v Attorney-General [2025] NZSC 188, [2025] 1 NZLR 973 (the Supreme Court case). See Clauses 13 & 14.
Why make a submission?
It is an opportunity for family carers, and the organisations that support them, to have our say in shaping proposed legislation. We know how busy family carers are, and Parent to Parent is also making a joint submission with our disability sector partners regarding areas of concern. If you would like to share your thoughts with us, for inclusion in the submission, you can send them to comms@parent2parent.org.nz or speak to your local Regional Coordinator.
Please note the following paragraph, from the government’s own Regulatory Impact Statement regarding this Bill (page 19, section 44): Due to the sensitivity of proposals, there will be no community consultation prior to the DSS Bill being introduced to the House of Representatives. This may not be well received by disabled people, whānau, and carers. It may be seen as inconsistent with the obligation in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to actively involve and closely consult with representative organisations of disabled people on matters that directly affect them.
Notes on making a submission
Do write it in your own words and it does not have to be complex or formal.
List your key concerns, for example:
- Lack of consultation prior to the Bill being introduced
- Shorter than usual select committee/public submission period
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Enabling Good Lives (EGL), and other rights-based approaches are absent
- Bill frames disability support as a ‘contribution’ towards an ‘everyday life’ rather than a right as outlined in the UNCRPD, to which New Zealand is a signatory
- A ‘good life’ is replaced with an ‘everyday life’ which does not reflect EGL principles
- Clarity needed around the implication of ‘family first’ Clause 8[1]
- The Bill is too vague about secondary legislation and the power of Ministers to create new programmes creates uncertainty, Clauses 10(3) and 11(5)
- Risk of means-testing being introduced in secondary regulation (income and asset-based criteria listed in Clause 11(3)(f) & (g))
Mention any personal experience / examples you have that are relevant to your areas of concern.
Parent to Parent’s joint submission with our disability sector partners will be published for reference as soon as it has been finalised.
[1] The meaning of ‘family first’ is vague – is it that any and all family members are responsible for providing care? It is also unclear when family support ends/tapers off.
More information
- Huhana Hickey has written a plain language summary of the Bill
- The Human Rights Commission has a press release
- Arts Access Aotearoa has a statement
- CCS Disability Action’s social media summary of concerns
