BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                          AB 873
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 873 (Human Services)
As Amended July 12, 1999
Majority vote
  
ASSEMBLY:      (June 3, 1999)   SENATE: 40-0 (September 3, 1999)
                     (Vote not relevant)

Original Committee Reference:   HUM. S.  

  SUMMARY  :  Authorizes independent living centers to provide  
services and referrals related to assistive technology.  

  The Senate amendments  delete the Assembly version of this bill  
and instead:  

1)Add assistive technology to the list of service and referral  
  needs independent living centers may address in serving their  
  clients.

2)Specify that assistive technology services may include  
  information and outreach to individuals with disabilities  
  about appropriate assistive technology devices, or services  
  and referrals that will enable individuals to gain access to  
  assistive technology.

3)Require independent living centers' assistive technology  
  activities to involve collaboration with the Department of  
  Rehabilitation (DOR) and the nonprofit contractor selected to  
  implement the federal Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (Act).

4)Specify that the federal Act shall serve as the framework for  
  offering assistive technology services.
  
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill repealed the sunset on the  
California Food Assistance Program and Cash Assistance Program  
for Immigrants and expanded eligibility.

  FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to Senate Appropriations Committee,  
fiscal effect this year.  Future year impact depends on Budget  
Act appropriations.

  COMMENTS  :  Assistive technology includes simple equipment, such  
as grab bars, ramps, and modified eating utensils, as well as   
"high tech" equipment such as computers, adaptive driving aids,  








                                                          AB 873
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and alternative communication systems.  California currently  
receives between $800,000 and $900,000 per year in federal funds  
from the Act.  That amount will increase to $1.3 million in the  
coming federal fiscal year and then diminish annually until  
2004. DOR currently has a contract with the California  
Foundation for Independent Living Centers, a membership  
organization representing 25 local independent living centers,  
to provide assistive technology services.  The intent of this  
bill is to enable the local independent living centers to use  
the federal funds to help individuals in local communities find  
and receive the technology they need in order to function more  
independently and productively.

  Analysis Prepared by  :  Sherry Novick / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2247

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