Parkinson's advocates in California.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is teaming up with advocates and organizations nationwide to turn states into engines of Parkinson’s policy progress. In the last two years alone, this coordinated push has delivered billions in new public research funding and driven meaningful progress toward eliminating the use of paraquat, a harmful herbicide linked to Parkinson’s, in more than a dozen states.
California
Research Funding
In 2026, MJFF is supporting legislation to establish a new multi-billion state-based research fund in California. If this legislation passes and is approved by voters in November, it will dramatically expand resources for biomedical and brain disease research.
Paraquat Ban
In June 2024, MJFF supported legislation that would have made California the first state in the nation to ban paraquat. The final bill was instead amended to require the state to re-evaluate paraquat's safety by January 1, 2029. We mobilized our California advocates to urge Governor Newsom to sign the bill into law — which he did 10 days later.
Florida
Research Funding
In 2025, the Florida legislature passed a bill to create a new Parkinson's research consortium at the University of South Florida with $8 million to begin basic, clinical and translational studies.
Pennsylvania
Research Funding
In 2025, Pennsylvania established a dedicated neurodegenerative disease research fund in its state budget, with an initial investment of $5 million. The state aims to dedicate another $5 million in 2026.
Paraquat Ban
In 2025, Pennsylvania became the second state to introduce legislation to ban paraquat. While the bill did not pass before the session ended, it was reintroduced in 2026 and remains under deliberation.
Texas
Research Funding
In 2025, Texas voters made history by approving a $3 billion state investment in brain disease research over 10 years — one of the largest commitments of its kind. MJFF partnered with advocates and legislators every step of the way: from convincing legislators to include Parkinson's research in the bill to delivering in-person testimony at the state house and urging voters to vote in favor.
Vermont
Paraquat Ban
In May 2026, Vermont made history as the first U.S. state to pass bipartisan legislation to ban paraquat.
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