BILL NUMBER: AB 1244	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chesbro
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano and Beall)

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2011

   An act relating to developmental services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1244, as introduced, Chesbro. Developmental services:
individual choice budgets.
   Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities
Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is
authorized to contract with regional centers to provide support and
services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Under
existing law, the regional centers purchase needed services for
individuals with developmental disabilities through approved service
providers or arrange for their provision through other publicly
funded agencies. The services and supports to be provided to a
regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan
(IPP), developed in accordance with prescribed requirements.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would support the implementation of individual
choice budgets for regional center consumers.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The Legislature recognizes the aspirations of people with
developmental disabilities to make their own life decisions, such as
where and with whom one lives, the role one plays within his or her
community, when to enter into and whether to sustain long-term
relationships, and how to pursue economic and spiritual goals.
   (b) Individual choice budgets offer regional center consumers
authority over a fixed budget allocation, the freedom to design
supports of their choosing, and the support necessary to maximize
control over their services and their lives. This option promotes
core quality outcomes based on universal human aspirations.
   (c) Individuals who have the choice to spend their allocation on a
wide range of supports and services, such as hiring their own
workers and purchasing items and services, have the ability to make
creative, nontraditional purchases based on their individual needs
and aspirations.
   (d) Direct support workers are the foundation for the supports
necessary for people with developmental disabilities to access full
citizenship and employment opportunities and to pursue a life of
meaning in the ways that they choose. Therefore, individuals should
have the right to utilize their allocation to hire workers of their
choice and to supervise, direct, schedule, evaluate, train, and
terminate employees.
   (e) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that
would support the implementation of individual choice budgets for
regional center consumers.