Bill Text: CA SB577 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

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Bill Title: Autism and other developmental disabilities: employment.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-18 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 431, Statutes of 2014. [SB577 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB577-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 577	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Pavley

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add Section 4868.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to autism.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 577, as introduced, Pavley. Autism services: pilot program:
employment.
   The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act authorizes
the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with
regional centers to provide services and support to individuals with
developmental disabilities, including autism.
   This bill would require the State Department of Developmental
Services to establish a pilot program for young adults with autism to
help them find pathways to financial independence through work. The
bill would require the pilot program to develop and implement a new
model for providing employment services to autistic individuals and
to create financial incentives for employment service providers, as
specified, among other requirements. The bill would also set forth
related legislative findings and declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
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) One in three adults with autism do not have paid work
experience or a college or technical education seven years after
leaving the K-12 school system.
   (b) In order to increase the self-sufficiency of young adults with
autism, including increased earning capacity and reduced government
benefit support, it is important that the state implement a program
to provide individualized skills assessment, social cue training, and
specific support to ensure their academic and employment success.
   (c) The Governor and the Legislature must address the growing need
for new models of assessment, career training, and expanding
employment opportunities and support options for young adults with
autism between 18 and 30 years of age. If this population is left
without purposefully designed pathways into employment, these young
adults will remain at high risk of public dependency throughout the
course of their lives.
  SEC. 2.  Section 4868.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   4868.5.  (a) The State Department of Developmental Services shall
establish a pilot program for young adults with autism to help them
find pathways to financial independence through work. The program
shall be developed and implemented to assist individuals with autism
to obtain integrated employment outcomes that result in sufficient
wages and benefits in order to decrease, over time, their dependency
on public financial support.
   (b) The pilot program described in subdivision (a) shall do all of
the following:
   (1) Develop and implement a new model for providing employment
services to autistic individuals or modify an existing model for
providing those services.
   (2) Identify existing support services that may be modified or
combined with supplemental services to provide skills assessment,
training, and transition services.
   (3) Utilize available federal and state incentive programs.
   (4) Create financial incentives for employment service providers
who assist the individuals served by the pilot program to become
successfully employed in jobs that pay wages that equal or exceed the
Social Security Administration's substantial gainful activity level
or result in the individual obtaining employer-based health benefits.

   (5) Develop and implement a protocol for collecting and evaluating
data regarding the outcomes of autistic individuals who participate
in the pilot program.