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AB-627 Developmental services: regional centers.(2019-2020)

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Date Published: 05/17/2019 04:00 AM
AB627:v96#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 16, 2019
Amended  IN  Assembly  April 25, 2019
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 21, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 627

Introduced by Assembly Member Frazier

February 15, 2019

An act to add Section 4640.1 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to developmental services.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 627, as amended, Frazier. Developmental services: regional centers.
Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. Existing law requires contracts between the department and regional centers to specify the service area and the categories of persons that regional centers are expected to serve and the services and supports that are to be provided.
This bill would require the Director of Developmental Services to identify regional centers that are in need of a satellite office or satellite offices in catchment areas where barriers to access may exist. The bill would require the director, on or before July 1, 2020, to consult with each regional center identified by the director to determine an appropriate location for the satellite office or offices. The bill would require each regional center identified by the director to inform the public of its plans to open one or more satellite offices, and to offer services to individuals with developmental disabilities at those satellite offices on or before January July 1, 2021.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 4640.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

4640.1.
 (a) In order to ensure accessibility of services to individuals with developmental disabilities, the Director of Developmental Services shall identify regional centers that are in need of one or more satellite offices because barriers to access may exist in the catchment area, including, but not limited to, barriers due to a rural location, lack of public transportation, or the potential for significant travel time to the regional center office.
(b) On or before July 1, 2020, the director shall consult with each regional center identified pursuant to subdivision (a) to determine an appropriate location for the satellite office or offices. Locations shall be selected based on an identified need to provide more accessibility to services and a better quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in areas with barriers to access.
(c) A regional center identified pursuant to subdivision (a) shall inform the public of its plans to open one or more satellite offices, and shall, on or before January July 1, 2021, offer services to individuals with developmental disabilities at those satellite offices. A satellite office may offer limited services based on the needs of individuals eligible for services.