BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1112
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 8, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1112 (Ammiano) - As Amended: April 18, 2013
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:7 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires rates and fees for supported employment
services for people with developmental disabilities to be
consistent with rates and fees set by the Department of
Rehabilitation (DOR). Specifically, this bill:
1)Establishes a $700 fee for providers of employment preparation
services and requires that fee to be paid under specified
circumstances.
2)Requires that the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Regional Centers (RCs) pay rates established in statute or
those set by DOR, whichever are greater.
FISCAL EFFECT
This legislation will likely have no fiscal impact on DDS and
DOR. DDS only pays the fees contained in this bill when DOR is
under an order of selection and has to place DDS consumers on
waiting lists. DOR has only done this once in the last 25
years.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . According to the author, this bill provides job
seekers with intellectual/developmental disabilities equal
access to employment opportunities and the full array of
supports funded by DOR. Additionally, the author intends to
address the absence of Employment Preparation services for
individuals with developmental disabilities within DOR's
uniform fee structure, which puts a group of people who have a
AB 1112
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documented unemployment rate of over 80% at a disadvantage.
1)California's Developmental Services System annually assists
approximately 260,000 individuals with developmental
disabilities and their families through a statewide system of
21 regional centers. Of the $4.9 billion ($2.8 billion GF)
proposed for the 2013-14 budget year, approximately $4 billion
is for services provided through the regional centers. The
system employs 90,000 workers. Almost 99% of consumers receive
community-based services and live with their parents or other
relatives, in their own homes or apartments, or in group homes
designed to meet their medical and behavioral needs.
In addition, the state's four Developmental Centers (Fairview,
Lanterman, Porterville, and Sonoma) and one smaller, community
facility (Canyon Springs) provide 24-hour care to about 1,700
individuals with developmental disabilities. The DCs provide a
full range of care, including medical and recreational
services.
DDS consumers work in a variety of settings. Those requiring
supported employment settings may participate in the
Habilitation Services Program, which consists of the Work
Activity Program (WAP) and Supported Employment Program
(SEP). The WEP services are reimbursed at a daily per capita
rate and provide a sheltered work environment. Consumers
participating in SEP work in the community with support
services provided by community rehabilitation programs.
1)Related Legislation in the Current Session . AB 954
(Maienschein) restores the hourly job coach rate and
employment service fees that are paid for by regional centers
to 2006 levels, which were decreased by 10% in 2008-09. That
bill is currently pending on this committee's suspense file.
It should be noted that the provisions of AB 954 (Maienschein)
and AB 1112 (Ammiano) are in direct conflict, as currently
drafted.
AB 1041 (Chesbro) establishes Employment First Policy
requirements related to the inclusion of integrated employment
opportunities and services in a regional center consumer's
individual program plan (IPP). That bill is currently pending
on this committee's Suspense File.
SB 577 (Pavley) requires DDS to establish a pilot program for
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young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to help them find
pathways to financial independence through work. This bill is
pending in Senate Appropriations.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081