BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2920
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Date of Hearing: May 17, 2006
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Judy Chu, Chair
AB 2920 (Leno) - As Amended: April 27, 2006
Policy Committee: AgingVote:3-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Department of Aging (CDA) to
ensure that all programs administered by CDA are available to
all older adults, and requires Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to
include the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) elders in their area plans. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires CDA to ensure that programs and services provided
through the Older Americans Act and the Mello-Granlund Older
Californians Act in each planning and service area are
available to all older adults regardless of physical or mental
disabilities, language barriers, cultural or social isolation,
including that caused by actual or perceived racial and ethnic
status, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation,
medical condition, color, or by association with a person with
one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics that
restrict an individual's ability to perform normal daily tasks
or that threaten his or her capacity to live independently.
2)Requires CDA to require that each area AAA include the needs
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) seniors in
their needs assessment and area plans.
3)Requires CDA to provide technical assistance to the AAAs for
the training of all program staff, contractors, and volunteers
regarding the unique needs of LGBT seniors.
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FISCAL EFFECT
1)Increased GF costs to CDA to provide technical assistance of
around $60,000.
2)Increased GF costs of around $330,000 to AAAs to include the
needs of LBGT seniors in their needs assessments and area
plans.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . This bill is intended to ensure that the needs of
LGBT seniors are addressed in the planning and development of
programs and services administered by CDA and the AAAs. The
author argues this bill would greatly strengthen the state's
ability to respond to the needs of this population by
including LGBT seniors in the planning and development of
services administered by the AAAs and CDA. Proponents argue
that there is a clear need for public policy measures to
better protect LGBT seniors, who constitute an underserved
population at high risk for health disparities, isolation,
poverty, homelessness and premature isolation. By including
LGBT seniors in the needs assessment and Area Plan process,
CDA and the AAAs can ensure they are responding to the needs
of all older adults and adults with disabilities in each
community. The author argues having to rely on the health
care system, a nursing home facility, or any other social
institution understandably provokes anxiety and fear in aging
LGBT Californians, and many avoid accessing services
altogether, even when their health, safety, and security
depend on it.
2)Background . California has 33 AAAs that provide a wide range
of services designed to keep older adults and adults with
disabilities independent and in their own homes and
communities for as long as possible. AAAs serve as the focal
point for local aging issues and concerns. The services are
funded through the Older Americans Act, the Older Californians
Act, local entities and grants.
To ensure that programs and services funded by the AAA
adequately serve the older adults within each community, AAAs
are required to conduct a needs assessment every four years to
document the service needs of community residents and any gaps
AB 2920
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in the service network. The needs assessment process
typically includes a community-wide survey, community
meetings, and information received from stakeholders and key
informants.
Existing regulations require that each needs assessment include
all of the following: the target populations, the types of
existing and potential needs of older individuals in the
community, the services or resources currently available, as
well as any constraints (waiting lists, geographic
limitations, quality), an estimate of unmet needs or barriers
to access, demographic information, and data from other
agencies. The information received through the needs
assessment process guides the AAA in identifying the service
priorities for the Area Plan. Every four years, CDA is
required by federal law to submit a State Plan on Aging to the
federal Administration on Aging. When approved, CDA receives
federal funds to administer the State Plan.
Analysis Prepared by : Scott Bain / APPR. / (916) 319-2081