Assembly Bill 279 – Developmental Disabilities: Regional Centers
Assemblymember Chris R. Holden
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SUMMARY
Assembly Bill 279 extends authority to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and regional centers to adjust the rates of providers to comply with legally binding local mandates and minimum wage levels across the state.
BACKGROUND
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act of California has established a community based system providing individuals with developmental disabilities with a range of services including supports for employment, independent and residential living services and a wide array of individualized therapies, services and supports determined through Individualized Program Plans. Direct services are provided by local individuals and organizations that enter in to “vendorization” agreements with the Department of Developmental Services and or local regional centers.
Current law prevents DDS or regional centers from adjusting service provider rates of reimbursement without specific statutory authority to do so. Statutory authority to adjust rates to meet increases in mandated minimum wage levels has always been granted. This was done most recently in 2016 when DDS and regional centers were granted authority to adjust provider rates in concert with Senate Bill 3 that raised State minimum wage levels.
The statutes enacted in 2016 did not recognize that a number of municipalities and counties have enacted minimum wage ordinances mandating all employers within their jurisdictions to increase wages to levels above State law. This bill extends authority to DDS and regional centers to adjust the rates of providers to comply with legally binding minimum wage levels enacted in the jurisdiction in which they employ workers to meet service needs under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. Without an increase to reimbursement rates to meet local mandates many services providers may have to shut their doors. This
would lead to a shortage of services available to people with disabilities throughout our state.
EXISTING LAW
Welfare and Institutions Code §4681.6 & §4691.9:
Authorizes the Department of Developmental Services and regional centers to adjust provider rates in response to State minimum wage increase.
THE SOLUTION
AB 279 amends Sections 4681.6 and 4691.9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to authorize the Department of Developmental Services and regional centers to adjust providers rates in response to any local legally binding minimum wage statute ordinance.
The simple fact is that when the state raised the minimum wage, it recognized a responsibility to provide a mechanism and funding to adjust rates that are impacted. This bill simply extends that recognition to local ordinances raising minimum wage at a different pace than the state.
Support
Support:
The Los Angeles Coalition of Service Providers (Sponsor)
Ability First
Advanced Behavioral Pathways
Arroyo Insurance Services
Association of Regional Center Agencies
Behavioral Concepts
California Association of Health Services at Home
California Consortium for Behavioral Analysis
California Disabilities Services Association
California Respite Association
Cal-TASH
Child Development Institute
CHOICESS
County of Los Angeles
County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors
East Bay Developmental Disabilities Legislative Coalition
Easter Seals Southern California
Education Spectrum
Danny’s Farm
ETTA
Elective Support Services
Exceptional Children’s Foundation
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
Home of Guiding Hands
Hope House for the Multiple Handicapped Inc.
Institute for the Redesign of Learning
Jay Nolan
Libertana Home Health care of Sherman Oakes
Lincoln Training Center
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Maxim Healthcare Services
New Horizons
North Los Angeles Regional Center
Partners for Potential, Inc.
Partnerships With Industry
Path Point
Premier Healthcare Services
San Diego Regional Center
Specialized Health Services
Star of CA Behavioral and Psychological Services
State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Strategies To Empower People
TERI, Inc.
The Adult Skills Center
The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy Collaboration
The Arc of Ventura County
The Association of Regional Centers (ARCA)
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
The Lanterman Coalition
The Los Angeles Coalition of Service Providers
The Valley Industry and Commerce Association
Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind
Tierra Del Sol
Tierra del Sol Foundation
Tri- Counties Regional Center
United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties
United Cerebral Palsy of Sacramento and Northern California
United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate
United Cerebral Palsy San Diego County
United Cerebral Palsy Work, Inc.
Valley Industry and Commerce Association
Valley Village
Villa Esperanza Services
VIP, Inc.
West End SELPA San Bernardino
Westside Regional Center
903 individuals
Contact: Elle Hoxworth, Senior Legislative Aide
Office of Assembly Member Chris R. Holden
916-319-2041 || 916-319-2141 (fax)
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