BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1595
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 14, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1595 (Chesbro) - As Amended: April 21, 2014
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:7 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill brings state statute regarding the State Council on
Developmental Disabilities into conformity with the federal
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of
2000 (DD Act).
FISCAL EFFECT
Negligible state cost. Preserves $6.5 million in federal funding
(grant) for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . This bill seeks to ensure the State Council's
structure and responsibilities are clearly aligned with
federal requirements, to regain unrestricted access to the
federal funds necessary to carry out the State Council's
statewide and local duties. The author states, "This bill
will create the statutory framework for the continued funding
of the Council, its regional offices, and their continued work
for the people of California in furthering the
self-determination, productivity and inclusion of people with
developmental disabilities."
2)Federal compliance issues . The federal Administration on
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) is
AB 1595
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responsible for administering the federal DD Act, which
includes monitoring and ensuring the appropriate use of grant
dollars provided to states for their state councils on
developmental disabilities. Through its Monitoring and
Technical Assistance Review System (MTARS), the AIDD conducted
an on-site monitoring visit in 2013 to assess whether
California's State Council had corrected historic DD Act
compliance issues and concerns.
The 2013 MTARS visits revealed continued inconsistencies
between the Lanterman Act and federal DD Act requirements. As
a result, the AIDD is restricting the State Council funding,
resulting in basic funding challenges for the local area
boards. This bill is intended to bring state law into
compliance with the federal law that funds the Council.
3)Previous Legislation . SB 1364 (Chesbro) Chapter 68, Statutes
of 2004, made changes to the terms and composition of the
Council membership to comply with the federal DD Act.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
319-2081