Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates funding for the developmental services budget in California.

Highlights:

• Appropriates funding for the developmental services budget in California (Sec. 1-8).

• Amends and makes various changes to the Self-Determination Program, including, among others (Sec. 1-8):

• Establishing the participants’ budget, generally based on the services authorized, instead of being based on the purchase of service expenditures;

• Requiring a regional center to certify that participants’ spending plans satisfy certain criteria; and 

• Requiring the department to establish statewide standardized processes and procedures for the program, with community input, no later than March 1, 202.

• Require, beginning in the 2026–27 fiscal year, a provider to be compliant with electronic visit verification, home- and community-based services rules, and applicable annual fiscal reviews and audit requirements as a condition of eligibility for the quality incentive program (Sec. 1-8)

• Amends and updates the definition of CARF to mean the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The bill would also update the definition of group service to include a coach-to-consumer ratio of not less than 1 to 2 instead of 1 to 3, and also require a minimum of 2 consumers to be funded by specified entities (Sec. 1-8).

• Requires the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee to meet at least 2 times each year, as specified, and would set forth the information to be included in the initial report and recommendation updates, including, among other things, a narrative summary of the master plan committee meetings (Sec. 1-8).

• Appropriates $2,789,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Developmental Services for project planning activities at regional centers associated with the Life Outcomes Improvement System. Under the bill, these funds would be available for encumbrance or expenditure through June 30, 2026 (Sec. 1-8).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall declare an emergency and shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that appropriates funding for the developmental services budget in California.

Highlights:

• Appropriates funding for the developmental services budget in California (Sec. 1-8).

• Amends and makes various changes to the Self-Determination Program, including, among others (Sec. 1-8):

• Establishing the participants’ budget, generally based on the services authorized, instead of being based on the purchase of service expenditures;

• Requiring a regional center to certify that participants’ spending plans satisfy certain criteria; and 

• Requiring the department to establish statewide standardized processes and procedures for the program, with community input, no later than March 1, 202.

• Require, beginning in the 2026–27 fiscal year, a provider to be compliant with electronic visit verification, home- and community-based services rules, and applicable annual fiscal reviews and audit requirements as a condition of eligibility for the quality incentive program (Sec. 1-8)

• Amends and updates the definition of CARF to mean the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The bill would also update the definition of group service to include a coach-to-consumer ratio of not less than 1 to 2 instead of 1 to 3, and also require a minimum of 2 consumers to be funded by specified entities (Sec. 1-8).

• Requires the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee to meet at least 2 times each year, as specified, and would set forth the information to be included in the initial report and recommendation updates, including, among other things, a narrative summary of the master plan committee meetings (Sec. 1-8).

• Appropriates $2,789,000 from the General Fund to the State Department of Developmental Services for project planning activities at regional centers associated with the Life Outcomes Improvement System. Under the bill, these funds would be available for encumbrance or expenditure through June 30, 2026 (Sec. 1-8).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall declare an emergency and shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text