BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 764
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 764 (Steinberg)
As Amended August 20, 2012
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :24-13
HUMAN SERVICES 4-2 APPROPRIATIONS 12-0
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|Ayes:|Beall, Ammiano, Hall, |Ayes:|Gatto, Blumenfield, |
| |Portantino | |Bradford, Charles |
| | | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| | | |Fuentes, Hall, Hill, |
| | | |Cedillo, Mitchell, |
| | | |Solorio |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Jones, Grove | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Establishes a pilot program for the provision of
treatment and intervention services through the use of
telehealth. Specifically, this bill :
1)States legislative intent to do all of the following:
a) Improve access to treatment and intervention services
for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) or
other developmental disabilities and their families in
underserved populations;
b) Provide more cost-effective treatments and intervention
services for individuals with ASDs or other developmental
disabilities and their families;
c) Maximize the effectiveness of the interpersonal and
face-to-face interactions that are utilized for the
treatment of individuals with ASDs or other developmental
disabilities; and,
d) Continue maintenance and support of the existing service
workforce for individuals with ASDs or other developmental
disabilities.
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2)Provides that, to improve access to services for consumers and
family members, including those from underserved communities,
and to facilitate better and cost-effective services,
individual program planning (IPP) teams shall consider
telehealth, whenever applicable.
3)Requires that telehealth be considered for parent trainings,
including group trainings for parents on behavioral
intervention techniques.
4)Requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to
implement appropriate vendorization subcodes for telehealth
services and programs.
5)Requires telehealth providers to maintain the privacy and
security of all confidential consumer information.
6)Provides that the provision of a service through the use of
telehealth is voluntary and may be discontinued at the request
of the consumer or, as appropriate, the consumer's authorized
legal representative at any time. Requires the regional
center, upon receiving a request to discontinue telehealth, to
convene an IPP review to determine alternative, appropriate
means for providing the service.
7)Defines "telehealth" as that term defined in the Business and
Professions Code.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, cost associated with this legislation should be minor
and absorbable within existing resources.
COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill is intended to
promote and encourage the use of Tele-Health and Tele-Medicine
applications for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD by DDS and
regional centers; to improve access for the appropriate
evaluation and treatment of ASD by regional centers to
underserved communities; and, to provide services for the
appropriate evaluation and treatment of ASD by regional centers
in the most competent and cost-effective manner possible.
The author notes that there has been a twelve fold increase in the
diagnosis of ASD during the past decade. ASDs are increasing at an
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average annual rate of 17%, and two-thirds of all new consumers who
are entering the regional center system are now diagnosed with ASD.
The cost to DDS and the regional centers for the evaluation,
diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of ASD, the author says, is
significantly higher than the costs for services and programs
provided for other developmental disorders. According to the
author, because there are currently over 51,000 ASD consumers who
are receiving services from DDS and regional centers, the number of
programs and service providers available for these consumers are
diminishing, especially in geographically remote communities and in
underserved populations. The author points out that there are
currently innovative approaches and applications that are being used
extensively in the area of Tele-Health and Tele-Medicine. Autism
experts and healthcare professionals, the author says, have
recommended that these applications and systems be used for the
evaluation and treatment of ASD.
On April 12, 2012, the Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related
Disorders held an informational hearing, Ensuring Fair & Equal
Access to Regional Center Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Testimony addressed disparities, including racial and ethnic
disparities, in access to regional center services, often based on
where in the state the consumer lives. Access issues exist
particularly within low-income communities or rural areas where
services may not exist, or where other barriers, such as inadequate
transportation, are common. It was clear from testimony at the
Select Committee hearing that these disparities and access issues do
not exist only for regional center consumers with ASD.
Nothing prevents the use of telehealth for regional center consumers
under current law. As described in the Existing Law section, above,
the Lanterman Act includes numerous references to the use of
innovative and economical service mechanisms and methods of
achieving IPP objectives. Because it can increase access to needed
services by means of an innovative and cost-effective service
mechanism, telehealth is certainly consistent with the intent of the
Lanterman Act and not precluded by the current statute when
identified as the preferred means of achieving a consumer's IPP
objectives. This bill would require consideration of telehealth,
when appropriate, for purposes of increasing access to services for
people with ASD and other developmental disabilities and their
families in underserved populations. This bill would make it clear,
however, that consumers and family members may choose to have
services provided in-person rather than through telehealth.
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Analysis Prepared by : Chris Reefe / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089
FN: 0005085