BILL ANALYSIS
AB 378
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Date of Hearing: April 29, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 378 (Cook) - As Introduced: February 23, 2009
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:5 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires public authorities and nonprofit consortiums,
in consultation with their advisory committees and stakeholders,
to develop training standards and core topics provided to
in-home supportive services (IHSS) providers and recipients.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)There are no significant state costs associated with this
legislation. The costs for developing training standards would
be borne by the individual public authorities and nonprofit
consortiums.
2)Unknown cost pressures to the extent public authorities and
consortiums develop standards that require increased training
of IHSS providers.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The purpose of this legislation is to improve the
training of IHSS providers and therefore improve the quality
of care of recipients. According to the sponsors, the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME), by implementing a standard IHSS provider program,
public authorities can ensure integrity and security for the
IHSS program and the clients of the program.
2)In-Home Supportive Services Program . The IHSS Program helps
pay for services so that the elderly, disabled, or blind
individuals can remain in their own homes. To be eligible, an
applicant must be over 65 years of age, disabled, or blind.
AB 378
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Disabled children are also eligible. IHSS is considered an
alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or
board and care facilities.
IHSS services are: housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry,
grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and
bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services),
accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective
supervision for the mentally impaired. IHSS consists of four
programs, including: Personal Care Services Program (PCSP),
IHSS Plus Waiver Program (IPW), IHSS Residual Program (IRP),
and Medi-Cal Waiver Personal Care Program (MWPCS). The PCSP,
IPW, and IRP are administered at the county level by county
welfare departments and at the State level by the Adult
Programs Division within CDSS. The Medi-Cal Waiver Personal
Care Services (MWPCS) Program is administered through
Department of Health Care Services. A portion of the costs for
IHSS services are paid by federal funding. The entire program
consists of over 400,000 recipients and on average 325,000
IHSS workers.
3)Previous Legislation . A substantially similar bill in 2007, AB
182 (Ma) was vetoed by the governor. In his veto message he
expressed his concern that this legislation could lead to the
development of dozens of different training standards
throughout the state. In addition, he noted that the state
can already develop training standards for IHSS providers
administratively, either at the state or local levels.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081