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
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|Version: April 7, 2015 |Policy Vote: P.E. & R. 5 - 0 |
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|Urgency: No |Mandate: No |
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|Hearing Date: May 28, 2015 |Consultant: Maureen Ortiz |
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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
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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
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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
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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.