BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair


          SB 1050 (Alquist) - Autism: telehealth taskforce
          
          Amended: April 12, 2012         Policy Vote: Human Services 7-0
          Urgency: No                     Mandate: No
          Hearing Date: May 7, 2012       Consultant: Brendan McCarthy
          
          This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
          
          
          Bill Summary: SB 1050 would require the Department of 
          Developmental Services to establish an outside taskforce on 
          telehealth and the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. 

          Fiscal Impact: 
              Minor costs to appoint the lead administrator of the 
              taskforce and approve proposed members (General Fund).

              Unknown costs to implement a demonstration site (unknown 
              funds).

          Background: Under current law, the Department of Developmental 
          Services contracts with non-profit Regional Centers to provide 
          treatment and rehabilitation services to clients with 
          developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.

          Proposed Law: SB 1050 would require the Department of 
          Developmental Services to establish a taskforce on telehealth 
          and the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The Department 
          would be responsible for selecting a lead administrator for the 
          taskforce. The lead administrator would then appoint members, 
          subject to the Department's approval, who would serve at the 
          pleasure of the lead administrator. The bill requires the lead 
          administrator and members to have certain, relevant knowledge or 
          experience

          The bill would require the taskforce to provide technical 
          assistance and make recommendations to the Department. The 
          recommendations are required to include a demonstration site 
          that promotes or evaluates the use to telehealth with respect to 
          autism spectrum disorders.

          The bill specifies that no General Fund monies shall be 








          SB 1050 (Alquist)
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          appropriated for its implementation. The bill would sunset on 
          January 1, 2019.

          Related Legislation: SB 764 (Steinberg) would require the 
          Department to allow certain services to be provided to 
          Developmental Center clients with autism spectrum disorders. 
          That bill is in the Assembly.

          Staff Comments: The bill would require the taskforce to make 
          recommendations to the Department that would include one 
          demonstration project. While the bill specifies that no General 
          Fund monies shall be used for its implementation, the Department 
          is supported by the General Fund and it is not clear what other 
          fund sources would be available to fund Department operations.

          Recommended Amendments: Staff recommends the bill be amended to 
          eliminate the requirement that the taskforce make 
          recommendations on a demonstration site. Staff also recommends 
          the bill be amended to strike the requirement that members of 
          the taskforce serve at the pleasure of the lead administrator.