BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2920
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2920 (Leno)
As Amended August 22, 2006
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |48-32|(May 31, 2006) |SENATE: |40-0 |(August 30, |
| | | | | |2006) |
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Original Committee Reference: AGING & L.T.C.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Department of Aging (CDA) to
ensure equal access to programs and services funded through the
Older Americans Act, and that all programs administered by CDA
and the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) account for the needs of
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders.
The Senate amendments :
1)Make technical changes to clarify that CDA shall ensure that
all older adults have equal access to programs and services
provided through the Older Americans Act.
2)Specify that the requirements for CDA and the AAAs added by
this bill are not intended to increase General Fund (GF)
obligations for programs administered by the AAAs.
3)Specify that CDA may adopt regulations to implement this bill,
and that if the department determines that adopting
regulations is necessary, it shall do so only after
consultation with the AAAs and the California Association of
Area Agencies on Aging.
4)Delete the requirement that CDA provide technical assistance
for the training of all program staff, contractors, and
volunteers. CDA would still be required to provide general
technical assistance to the AAAs regarding the unique needs of
LGBT seniors.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required CDA to ensure that
all programs administered by the department and AAAs account for
the needs of LGBT elders through the AAA needs assessment
process and the area plans, and provide technical assistance to
the AAAs for the training of all program staff, contractors and
AB 2920
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volunteers regarding the unique needs of LGBT elders.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, increased GF costs to CDA to provide technical
assistance of around $60,000 and increased GF costs of around
$330,000 to AAAs to include the needs of LGBT seniors in their
needs assessments and area plans.
COMMENTS : 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 are required to conduct a needs
assessment every four years to document the service needs of
community residents and any gaps in the service network. The
information received through the needs assessment process guides
the AAA in identifying the service priorities for the Area Plan,
and subsequently, the programs and services funded by the AAA.
Recent studies have called attention to the lack of culturally
competent services for LGBT seniors. In areas ranging from
housing and health care to asset protection, these individuals
are vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination and often
have limited legal, medical, and social resources. Because LGBT
seniors may be more likely to age alone and without children,
they are especially dependent on public and private services for
the elderly.
Analysis Prepared by : Allison Ruff / AGING & L.T.C. / (916)
319-3946
FN: 0016924