BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 2160
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 2160 (Carter)
          As Amended July 2, 2008
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |62-2 |(April 24,      |SENATE: |23-12|(August 11,    |
          |           |     |2008)           |        |     |2008)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    AGING & L.T.C.  

           SUMMARY  :  Adds the California Fair Employment and Housing Act  
          (CFEHA) definition of disability to the Mello-Granlund Older  
          Californians Act (OCA).  Specifically,  this bill  :  

          1)Cross-references the definition of "disability" within the OCA  
            to the definition of "mental disability" or "physical  
            disability" within CFEHA.

          2)Deletes the current definition of "disability" in the OCA for  
            the Senior Wellness Program which is the same as the federal  
            Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

           The Senate amendments  delete the definition of "disability" for  
          the OCA as either a mental disability, as defined in CFEHA,  
          which includes, but is not limited to, having a mental or  
          psychological disorder or condition that limits a major life  
          activity; or, a physical disability, as defined in CFEHA, which  
          includes, but is not limited to, having a physiological disease,  
          disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss  
          that limits a major life activity, and instead cross-reference  
          to the CFEHA definition in the Government Code.

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill: 

          1)Defined "disability" for the OCA as either of the following:

             a)   A mental disability, as defined in CFEHA, which  
               includes, but is not limited to, having a mental or  
               psychological disorder or condition that limits a major  
               life activity; or,

             b)   A physical disability, as defined in CFEHA, which  
               includes, but is not limited to, having a physiological  








                                                                  AB 2160
                                                                  Page  2

               disease, disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or  
               anatomical loss that limits a major life activity.

          2)Deleted the current definition of "disability" in the OCA for  
            the Senior Wellness Program which is the same as the federal  
            Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Senate Appropriations  
          Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

           COMMENTS  :  All services funded by the OCA are required to comply  
          with ADA.  Minimum standards for programs under the OCA include  
          a provision requiring equal access to diverse populations.  In  
          addition, the OCA already references CFEHA and includes  
          provisions that require equal access to programs and services  
          provided through both the Older Americans Act and the OCA  
          regardless of physical or mental disabilities, language  
          barriers, cultural or social isolation, including that caused by  
          actual or perceived racial and ethnic status, including but not  
          limited to: ancestry; national origin; religion; sex; gender  
          identity; marital status; familial status; sexual orientation;  
          or, any other basis set forth in the CFEHA.  


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Allison Ruff / AGING & L.T.C. / (916)  
          319-3990


                                                               FN: 0006753