BILL NUMBER: AB 2359	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Rodriguez

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add Section 4645 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to services for the developmentally disabled.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2359, as introduced, Rodriguez. Services for the
developmentally disabled: regional centers.
   Under existing law, the State Department of Developmental Services
has jurisdiction over specified state hospitals that provide
services to persons with developmental disabilities, also known as
developmental centers. Existing law authorizes the department to
operate any facility, provide its employees to assist in the
operation of any facility, or provide other necessary services and
support if, in the discretion of the department, it determines that
the activity will assist in meeting the goal of the orderly closures
of Agnews Developmental Center and Lanterman Developmental Center.
Existing law authorizes the department to contract with any entity
for the use of the department's employees to provide services in
furtherance of the orderly closures of Agnews Developmental Center
and Lanterman Developmental Center.
   Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services
Act, requires the state to contract with appropriate agencies,
including regional centers, to provide fixed points of contact in the
community for persons with developmental disabilities and their
families, to the end that these persons may have access to the
services and support best suited to them throughout their lifetime.
Existing law provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that
the network of regional centers for persons with developmental
disabilities and their families be accessible to every family in need
of regional center services and that the design and activities of
regional centers reflect a strong commitment to the delivery of
direct service coordination.
   This bill would require regional centers to ensure that any person
or entity hired by, or contracted with, the regional center to
provide services and support to individuals with developmental
disabilities provide these services and support in a manner
consistent with all state and federal laws and regulations applicable
to developmental centers.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4645 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   4645.  Notwithstanding any other law, a regional center shall
ensure that any person or entity hired by, or contracted with, the
regional center to provide services and support to individuals with
developmental disabilities provide these services and support in a
manner consistent with all state and federal laws and regulations
applicable to developmental centers.