BILL NUMBER: SB 367	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Block

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act  to add Section 4647.5 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code,  relating to developmental services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 367, as amended, Block. Developmental services: regional
 centers.   centers:   cultural and
linguistic competency. 
   Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities
Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is
authorized to contract with regional centers to provide support and
services to individuals with developmental disabilities. 
Existing law requires the department, when approving regional center
contracts, to ensure that regional center staffing patterns
demonstrate that direct service coordination is the highest priority.
  The services and supports to be provided to a
regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan
(IPP), developed in accordance with prescribed requirements,
including the use of a process that reflects the awareness of, and
sensitivity to, the cultural background   of the consumer
and the family. Existing law authorizes the regional center to, among
other things, solicit an individual or agency, by requests for
proposals or other means, to provide needed services or supports that
are not available to achieve the stated objectives of a consumer's
IPP.  
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would provide that the department require regional
centers to develop annual strategic plans that address issues of
cultural and linguistic competency.  
   This bill would require the department to require regional centers
to develop a Regional Center Study and Planning Process for Equity
and Cultural and Linguistic Competency (RESPECT) to address issues,
outcomes, and monitoring relating to culturally and linguistically
competent services and other factors that promote equity, fairness,
and diversity for underserved populations. The bill would require
RESPECT to be updated at least every 2 years, and include cultural
and linguistic competency staff training and a requirement that
providers include specified information in their vendor applications.
The bill would require regional centers to establish an Advisory
Board for Leadership and Equity to promote partnerships between
regional centers and community-based organizations and seek to meet
biannually and provide specified findings and recommendations to the
board of directors of the regional center. Under the bill, a regional
center may use an existing group to meet that requirement under
certain circumstances. The bill would require regional centers to
seek to post information relating to RESPECT on their Internet Web
sites. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would provide that the State Department of
Developmental Services require regional centers to  develop
annual strategic plans that  address issues of cultural and
linguistic competency.
   SEC. 2.    Section 4647.5 is added to the  
Welfare and Institutions Code   , to read:  
   4647.5.  (a) The department shall require regional centers to
develop a Regional Center Study and Planning Process for Equity and
Cultural and Linguistic Competency (RESPECT), which shall address
issues, outcomes, and monitoring relating to culturally and
linguistically competent services and other factors that promote
equity, fairness, and diversity for underserved populations.
   (b) The findings and recommendations contained in RESPECT shall be
updated, at least every two years, and shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
   (1) Cultural and linguistic competency staff training.
   (2) A requirement that a provider include in its vendor
application to the regional center information about the language
capabilities of its staff and its ability to provide services in a
culturally and linguistically competent manner.
   (c) (1) Regional centers shall establish an Advisory Board for
Leadership and Equity (ABLE) that shall promote partnerships between
regional centers and community-based organizations, including, but
not limited to, providers or provider organizations, and shall seek
to accomplish the following:
   (A) Meet at least biannually.
   (B) Provide annual findings and recommendations to the board of
directors of the regional center on regional center policies and
procedures that will promote equity, diversity, and cultural and
linguistic competency for consumers and their families.
   (C) Review and provide input on RESPECT.
   (2) Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude a regional center
from using an existing group or organization, including, but not
limited to, the regional center's board of directors, to meet this
requirement if the group or organization appropriately reflects the
diversity and cultural background of the regional center catchment
area.
   (d) Regional centers shall seek to post information relating to
RESPECT on their Internet Web sites.