BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session SB 982 (McGuire) - State Department of Developmental Services: developmental centers ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: April 14, 2016 |Policy Vote: HUMAN S. 4 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: May 2, 2016 |Consultant: Brendan McCarthy | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: SB 982 would require the Department of Developmental Services to contract with an independent agency for a longitudinal study of developmental center residents who relocate to the community as a result of developmental center closures. Fiscal Impact: Ongoing costs, likely between $500,000 and $1 million per year, for an independent contractor to undertake the required study (General Fund and federal funds). Under the bill, the contractor would be required to conduct interviews with former developmental center residents and family members and review information held by the Department to assess former resident satisfaction and quality of life. In addition to the requirement for in-person interviews, the contractor will also need to review data from the Department and regional centers, analyze the collected data, and report to the Department. SB 982 (McGuire) Page 1 of ? Background: California provides community-based services to approximately 250,000 persons with developmental disabilities and their families through a statewide system of 21 regional centers. Regional centers diagnostic and assessment services to determine eligibility, convene planning teams to develop an Individual Program Plan for each eligible consumer, and either provide or obtain from generic agencies appropriate services for each consumer in accordance with the Individual Program Plan. In addition, the state operates developmental centers for developmentally disabled individuals with significant service needs. At one time, the state operated eight developmental centers with a peak total population of 13,400. Today the state operates three developmental centers with a population of about 1,000 residents. The Administration has submitted plans to the Legislature to close Sonoma Developmental Center, Fairview Developmental Center, and the general treatment program at Porterville Developmental Center. Historically, individuals were placed in developmental centers (or state hospitals) because they had health care or support needs that could not be met in a community setting. Over time, services and supports available in the community have grown and today many current developmental center residents or individuals who once would have been developmental center residents are able to reside in community settings with services and supports coordinated by a regional center. The long-run trend is for reduced residency in regional centers. There is a moratorium in place preventing new admissions to developmental centers in most circumstances. Proposed Law: SB 982 would require the Department of Developmental Services to contract with an independent agency for a longitudinal study of developmental center residents who relocate to the community as a result of developmental center closures. Specific provisions of the bill would: Require the Department to contract with an independent agency or organization for a longitudinal study to assess the quality of life and outcomes of residents who relocate to the SB 982 (McGuire) Page 2 of ? community; Specify required qualifications for the contractor; Require the contractor to measure consumer and family satisfaction with services provided; Require the contactor to conduct in-person interviews with former residents and/or family, legal guardians, or conservators, at least once per year; Require the contractor to interview staff and friends of the consumer and review records; Require the Department to provide the contractor with access to Department records; Require the Department to submit interim reports at the end of the first and second years and at the completion of the study. Staff Comments: The study required in the bill is modelled on a study that was required for former residents of the now-closed Stockton Developmental Center. However, many of the former residents from the Stockton Developmental Center moved to other state facilities, which simplified the process for collecting data about those individuals. While the intention of the bill seems to be for a three-year longitudinal study, the bill does not specify the deadline for the Department to submit the final study or include a sunset date. -- END --