BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session SB 644 (Hancock) - Limited Examination and Appointment Program: persons with developmental disabilities ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: April 7, 2015 |Policy Vote: P.E. & R. 5 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: May 28, 2015 |Consultant: Maureen Ortiz | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUSPENSE FILE. AS AMENDED. Bill Summary: SB 644 changes the method for an individual to qualify under the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) from the current written exam or readiness evaluation, to an internship with a state agency of at least 1,024 hours. Fiscal Impact (as approved on May 28, 2015): Unknown administrative costs to CalHR (General Fund) Unknown, potentially $150,000 annually for internship program (various Special/General Funds) Administrative costs to CalHR are unknown at this time, however there is currently one Staff Services Manager 1 position that is SB 644 (Hancock) Page 1 of ? responsible for administering LEAP. SB 644 establishes a new internship program and may require additional PYs to CalHR. Exact costs for the internship program will depend on the number of internships provided through the LEAP method of qualifying applicants for civil service positions. If 25 internships are offered annually to applicants who would have otherwise not passed the current written exam or readiness evaluation, costs would be approximately $155,000 with monthly salaries of $2,074 (the entry level pay for Office Assistant) for three months. Departments that provide internships to LEAP applicants will use existing vacancies on a temporary basis. Background: The existing LEAP provides an alternative to the traditional civil service exam and appointment process in order to allow a disabled individual to compete for a position in state service. The LEAP program is administered by the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) which has the responsibility of creating eligibility criteria for participation in LEAP, examination techniques, and appointment and appeal procedures. LEAP employees are appointed on a temporary and provisional basis to allow them to demonstrate their abilities to perform the duties of their positions during a period of time known as the job examination period. During this period, LEAP employees do not acquire permanent civil service status but receive the same salaries and benefits provided to other temporary state employees. To qualify for LEAP, first an individual must be certified as disabled by the Department of Rehabilitation. Next the individual meets the minimum qualifications for the LEAP position by successfully completing a written (often online) exam or readiness evaluation. Then the applicant's name is placed on an unranked hiring list that is available to any state agency that has positions available. The hiring authority may then contact individuals on the list for interviews and job placements. LEAP candidates must serve on the job for an examination period of at least 9 months after which the person may be appointed to the permanent state position. Lastly, the employee must service SB 644 (Hancock) Page 2 of ? the traditional 6 months probationary period before becoming a permanent state civil service employee. Proposed Law: SB 644 does the following: 1) Expands the definition of "disability" to include a person with a developmental disability that the Department of Developmental Services deems eligible for services pursuant to the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and who is a consumer of a regional center pursuant to the Lanterman Act. 2) Prohibits CalHR from requiring a person with a developmental disability to take or pass a written examination or readiness evaluation in order to qualify for service in a LEAP position. 3) Provides that a LEAP exam consist of an internship with a state agency of not less than 1,024 hours (approximately 6 months full time employment), followed by certification from the employing agency that the individual has completed the internship and has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. 4) Requires CalHR to refer the names of persons with developmental disabilities to appointing powers for selection for participation in an internship examination. 5) Authorizes state agencies that provide internships to persons with a developmental disability to a position under LEAP to finance the internship or position with personnel funds assigned to a vacant or unfilled position. The position will not be eliminated, and funds may be returned or assigned to fill the vacant positions after the completion of the internship. 6) Requires a state agency that provides an internship to a person with a developmental disability to allow that person to SB 644 (Hancock) Page 3 of ? receive on-the-job support consisting of time spent with a job coach, as specified, but provides that the coach is not the responsibility of the state agency. 7) Provides that internship hours may be used to apply toward the qualifications of a permanent position. Staff Comments: SB 644 is intended to create increased access to state employment for individuals with developmental disabilities by allowing successful internship performance in lieu of a written test. A successful internship will serve as meeting the minimum qualifications for consideration for hire into an entry-level position with the State of California. To qualify for LEAP, an individual must be between 18 and 30 years of age and be deemed eligible by the Department of Rehabilitation to receive supported employment services. Author Amendments (as adopted on May 28, 2015): Clarifies that the internship is an optional pathway for employment, allows it to be paid or unpaid, and reduces the duration of the internship to 512 hours.