Bill Text: CA SB208 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Public social services: contracting.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 656, Statutes of 2013. [SB208 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB208-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 208	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 14, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lara

                        FEBRUARY 8, 2013

   An act  to add Section 4648.11 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code,  relating to developmental services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 208, as amended, Lara. Developmental services: 
regional centers.   request   for proposals.

   Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities
Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is
authorized to contract with regional centers to provide services and
supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. 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. Existing law authorizes the
regional center to, among other things, solicit an individual or
agency, by requests for proposals (RFPs) or other means, to provide
needed services or supports that are not available to achieve the
stated objectives of a consumer's IPP. 
   This bill would establish the Equity and Diversity in
Developmental Services Act, and would require a request for proposals
that is prepared by the department or by a regional center and that
relates to consumer programs or services and supports to include a
section on issues of equity and diversity, as specified. 

   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to require that RFPs that are created by regional centers
include a section to evaluate the applicant's ability to provide
services and supports that are culturally and linguistically
competent. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    The Legislature hereby finds and
declares the following:  
   (a) Recent and emerging evidence in the number of children
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in California and in
the United States indicates that ASDs have reached a level of public
health crisis that must be addressed.  
   (b) The State Department of Developmental Services and the
regional center system provide treatment, habilitation, and other
services to Californians with developmental disabilities so that they
may lead more independent, productive, and integrated lives. 

   (c) California, where diverse communities account for about 60
percent of the population, is now a "majority minority" state. 

   (d) The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act requires
that a person who receives services from a regional center must have
programs, services, and supports that are "person centered" and that
are based on the specific assessment and needs of each consumer.
 
   (e) Therefore, services provided to regional center consumers
should be provided in a linguistically and culturally competent
manner that promotes equity and diversity for all Californians. 

   SEC. 2.    Section 4648.11 is added to the  
Welfare and Institutions Code  , to read:  
   4648.11.  (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the
Equity and Diversity in Developmental Services Act.
   (b) A request for proposals that is prepared by the department or
by a regional center and that relates to consumer programs or
services and supports shall include a section on issues of equity and
diversity.
   (c) The section on equity and diversity shall request, but not be
limited to, all of the following:
   (1) A statement outlining the applicant's plan to serve diverse
populations.
   (2) Examples of the applicant's commitment to addressing the needs
of diverse populations.
   (3) Any additional information that the applicant deems relevant
to issues of equity and diversity, including hiring bilingual staff,
location of the program site, outreach strategies for underserved
communities, and training and other materials in various languages
and that are provided in a manner that is linguistically and
culturally competent.
   (4) Nothing in this section shall alter contracts entered into on
or before January 1, 2014.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation to require that requests for proposals that are
created by regional centers include a section to evaluate the
applicant's ability to provide services and supports that are
culturally and linguistically competent.