2007 California Welfare and Institutions Code Article 4. Services And Supports For Persons Living In The Community

CA Codes (wic:4685-4689.8)

4685.  (a) Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature
finds and declares that children with developmental disabilities most
often have greater opportunities for educational and social growth
when they live with their families.  The Legislature further finds
and declares that the cost of providing necessary services and
supports which enable a child with developmental disabilities to live
at home is typically equal to or lower than the cost of providing
out-of-home placement.  The Legislature places a high priority on
providing opportunities for children with developmental disabilities
to live with their families, when living at home is the preferred
objective in the child's individual program plan.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that regional centers
provide or secure family support services that do all of the
following:
   (1) Respect and support the decisionmaking authority of the
family.
   (2) Be flexible and creative in meeting the unique and individual
needs of families as they evolve over time.
   (3) Recognize and build on family strengths, natural supports, and
existing community resources.
   (4) Be designed to meet the cultural preferences, values, and
lifestyles of families.
   (5) Focus on the entire family and promote the inclusion of
children with disabilities in all aspects of school and community.
   (c) In order to provide opportunities for children to live with
their families, the following procedures shall be adopted:
   (1) The department and regional centers shall give a very high
priority to the development and expansion of services and supports
designed to assist families that are caring for their children at
home, when that is the preferred objective in the individual program
plan.  This assistance may include, but is not limited to specialized
medical and dental care, special training for parents, infant
stimulation programs, respite for parents, homemaker services,
camping, day care, short-term out-of-home care, child care,
counseling, mental health services, behavior modification programs,
special adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds,
communication devices, and other necessary appliances and supplies,
and advocacy to assist persons in securing income maintenance,
educational services, and other benefits to which they are entitled.

   (2) When children with developmental disabilities live with their
families, the individual program plan shall include a family plan
component which describes those services and supports necessary to
successfully maintain the child at home. Regional centers shall
consider every possible way to assist families in maintaining their
children at home, when living at home will be in the best interest of
the child, before considering out-of-home placement alternatives.
When the regional center first becomes aware that a family may
consider an out-of-home placement, or is in need of additional
specialized services to assist in caring for the child in the home,
the regional center shall meet with the family to discuss the
situation and the family's current needs, solicit from the family
what supports would be necessary to maintain the child in the home,
and utilize creative and innovative ways of meeting the family's
needs and providing adequate supports to keep the family together, if
possible.
   (3) To ensure that these services and supports are provided in the
most cost-effective and beneficial manner, regional centers may
utilize innovative service-delivery mechanisms, including, but not
limited to, vouchers; alternative respite options such as foster
families, vacant community facility beds, crisis child care
facilities; and alternative child care options such as supplemental
support to generic child care facilities and parent child care
cooperatives.
   (4) If the parent of any child receiving services and supports
from a regional center believes that the regional center is not
offering adequate assistance to enable the family to keep the child
at home, the parent may initiate a request for fair hearing as
established in this division.  A family shall not be required to
start a placement process or to commit to placing a child in order to
receive requested services.
   (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to encourage the
continued residency of adult children in the home of their parents
when that residency is not in the best interests of the person.
   (6) When purchasing or providing a voucher for day care services
for parents who are caring for children at home, the regional center
may pay only the cost of the day care service that exceeds the cost
of providing day care services to a child without disabilities.  The
regional center may pay in excess of this amount when a family can
demonstrate a financial need and when doing so will enable the child
to remain in the family home.
   (7) A regional center may purchase or provide a voucher for
diapers for children three years of age or older.  A regional center
may purchase or provide vouchers for diapers under three years of age
when a family can demonstrate a financial need and when doing so
will enable the child to remain in the family home.



4685.1.  (a) When a minor child requires a living arrangement
outside of the family home, as determined in the individual program
plan developed pursuant to Section 4646 and Section 4648, the
regional center shall make every effort to secure a living
arrangement, consistent with the individual program plan, in
reasonably close proximity to the family home.
   (b) When the parents or guardian of a minor child requests that an
out-of-home living arrangement for a minor child be in close
proximity to the family home, and when such a living arrangement
cannot be secured by the regional center, the regional center shall
include with the individual program plan a written statement of its
efforts to locate, develop, or adapt appropriate services and
supports in a living arrangement within close proximity to the family
home and what steps will be taken by the regional center to develop
the services and supports necessary to return the child to the family
home or within close proximity of the family home.  This statement
shall be updated every six months, or as agreed to by the parents or
guardians, and a copy shall be forwarded to the parents or guardians
of the minor and to the director of the department.
   (c) This section shall not be construed to impede the movement of
consumers to other geographic areas or the preference of the parent
or guardian for the placement of their minor child.



4685.7.  (a) Contingent upon approval of a federal waiver, the
Self-Directed Services Program (SDS Program) is hereby established
and shall be available in every regional center catchment area to
provide participants, within an individual budget, greater control
over needed services and supports. The Self-Directed Services Program
shall be consistent with the requirements set forth in this section.
In order to provide opportunities to participate in the program, the
department shall adopt regulations, consistent with federal law, to
implement the procedures set forth in this section.
   (b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
apply:
   (1) "Financial management services" means a service or function
that assists the participant to manage and direct the distribution of
funds contained in the individual budget. This may include, but is
not limited to, bill paying services and activities that facilitate
the employment of service workers by the participant, including, but
not limited to, federal, state, and local tax withholding payments,
unemployment compensation fees, setting of wages and benefits, wage
settlements, fiscal accounting, and expenditure reports. The
department shall establish specific qualifications which shall be
required of a financial management services provider.
   (2) "Supports brokerage" means a service or function that assists
participants in making informed decisions about the individual
budget, and assists in locating, accessing and coordinating services
consistent with and reflecting a participant's needs and preferences.
The service is available to assist in identifying immediate and
long-term needs, developing options to meet those needs,
participating in the person-centered planning process and development
of the individual program plan, and obtaining identified supports
and services.
   (3) "Supports broker" means a person, selected and directed by the
participant, who fulfills the supports brokerage service or function
and assists the participant in the SDS Program. Specific
qualifications shall be established by the department and required of
a supports broker provider.
   (4) "Waiver" means a waiver of federal law pursuant to Section
1396n of Title 42 of the United States Code.
   (5) "Independence Plus Self-Directed (IPSD) Waiver Program" or
"Self-Directed Waiver Program" means a federal waiver to the state's
Medicaid plan to allow a person with developmental disabilities who
needs or requires long-term supports and services, and when
appropriate, the person's family, greater opportunity to control his
or her own health and well-being by utilization of self-directed
services.
   (6) "Self-directed services" or "SDS" means a voluntary delivery
system consisting of a defined and comprehensive mix of services and
supports, selected and directed by a participant, in order to meet
all or some of the objectives in his or her individual program plan.
Self-directed services are designed to assist the participant to
achieve personally defined outcomes in inclusive community settings.

   Self-directed services shall include, but are not limited to, all
of the following:
   (A) Home health aide services.
   (B) Supported employment and prevocational services.
   (C) Respite services.
   (D) Supports broker functions and services.
   (E) Financial management services and functions.
   (F) Environmental accessibility adaptations.
   (G) Skilled nursing.
   (H) Transportation.
   (I) Specialized medical equipment and supplies.
   (J) Personal emergency response system.
   (K) Integrative therapies.
   (L) Vehicle adaptations.
   (M) Communication support.
   (N) Crises intervention.
   (O) Nutritional consultation.
   (P) Behavior intervention services.
   (Q) Specialized therapeutic services.
   (R) Family assistance and support.
   (S) Housing access supports.
   (T) Community living supports, including, but not limited to,
socialization, personal skill development, community participation,
recreation, leisure, home and personal care.
   (U) Advocacy services.
   (V) Individual training and education.
   (W) Participant-designated goods and services.
   (X) Training and education transition services.
   The department shall include all of the services and supports
listed in this paragraph in the IPSD Waiver Program application.
Notwithstanding this paragraph, only services and supports included
in an approved IPSD Waiver shall be funded through the SDS Program.
   (7) "Advocacy services" means services and supports that
facilitate the participant in exercising his or her legal, civil and
service rights to gain access to generic services and benefits that
the participant is entitled to receive. Advocacy services shall only
be provided when other sources of similar assistance are not
available to the participant, and when advocacy is directed towards
obtaining generic services.
   (8) "Individual budget" means the amount of funding available to
the participant for the purchase of services and supports necessary
to implement an individual program plan. The individual budget shall
be constructed using a fair, equitable, and transparent methodology.

   (9) "Risk pool" means an account that is available for use in
addressing the unanticipated needs of participants in the SDS
Program.
   (10) "Participant" means an individual, and when appropriate, his
or her parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized
representative, who have been deemed eligible for, and have
voluntarily agreed to participate in, the SDS Program.
   (c) Participation in the SDS Program is fully voluntary. A
participant may choose to participate in, and may choose to leave,
the SDS Program at any time. A regional center may not require
participation in the SDS Program as a condition of eligibility for,
or the delivery of, services and supports otherwise available under
this Division.
   (d) The department shall develop informational materials about the
SDS Program. The department shall ensure that regional centers are
trained in the principles of SDS, the mechanics of the SDS Program
and the rights of consumers and families as candidates for, and
participants, in the SDS Program. Regional centers shall conduct
local meetings or forums to provide regional center consumers and
families with information about the SDS Program. All consumers and
families who express an interest in participating in the SDS program
shall receive an in-depth orientation, conducted by the regional
center, prior to enrollment in the program.
   (e) Prior to enrollment in the SDS Program, and based on the
methodologies described below, an individual, and when appropriate,
his or her parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized
representative, shall be provided in writing two individual budget
amounts. If the individual, and when appropriate his parents, legal
guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, elects to
become a participant in the SDS Program, he or she shall choose which
of the two budget amounts provided will be used to implement their
individual program plan.
   (1) The methodologies and formulae for determining the two
individual budget amounts shall be detailed in departmental
regulations, as follows:
   (A) One individual budget amount shall equal 90 percent of the
annual purchase of services costs for the individual. The annual
costs shall reflect the average annual costs for the previous two
fiscal years for the individual.
   (B) One individual budget amount shall equal 90 percent of the
annual per capita purchase of service costs for the previous two
fiscal years for consumers with similar characteristics, who do not
receive services through the SDS Program, based on factors including,
but not limited to, age, type of residence, type of disability and
ability, functional skills, and whether the individual is in
transition. This budget methodology shall be constructed using data
available on the State Department of Developmental Services
information system.
   (2) Once a participant has selected an individual budget amount,
that individual budget amount shall be available to the participant
each year for the purchase of self-directed services until a new
individual budget amount has been determined. An individual budget
amount shall be calculated no more than once in a 12-month period.
   (3) As determined by the participant, the individual budget shall
be distributed among the following budget categories in order to
implement the IPP:
   (A) Community Living.
   (B) Health and Clinical Services.
   (C) Employment.
   (D) Training and Education.
   (E) Environment and Medical Supports.
   (F) Transportation.
   (4) Annually, participants may transfer up to 10 percent of the
funds originally distributed to any budget category set forth in
paragraph (3), to another budget category or categories. Transfers in
excess of 10 percent of the original amount allocated to any budget
category may be made upon the approval of the regional center.
Regional centers may only deny a transfer if necessary to protect the
health and safety of the participant.
   (5) The regional center shall annually ascertain from the
participant whether there are any circumstances that require a change
to the annual individual budget amount. The department shall detail
in regulations the process by which this annual review shall be
achieved.
   (6) A regional center's calculation of an individual budget amount
may be appealed to the executive director of the regional center, or
his or her designee, within 30 days after receipt of the budget
amount. The executive director shall issue a written decision within
10 working days. The decision of the executive director may be
appealed to the Director of Developmental Services, or his or her
designee, within 15 days of receipt of the written decision. The
decision of the department is final.
   (f) The department shall establish a risk pool fund to meet the
unanticipated needs of participants in the SDS Program. The fund
shall be administered by the department. Notwithstanding Section
13340 of the Government Code, all moneys in the fund shall be
continuously appropriated to the department, without regard to fiscal
years, for the purpose of funding services and supports pursuant to
this subdivision.
   (1) The risk pool shall be funded at the equivalent of 5 percent
of the historic annual purchase of service costs for consumers
participating in the SDS Program.
   (2) The risk pool shall be allocated by the department to regional
centers through a process specified by the department.
   (3) The risk pool may be used only in the event of substantial
change in a participant's service and support needs that were not
known at the time the individual budget was set, including an urgent
need to relocate a residence, and catastrophic injury or illness.
   (4) The risk pool may be accessed by a participant more than once
in a lifetime.
   (g) In the first year of the SDS Program, the department shall
provide for establishment of savings to the General Fund equivalent
to 5 percent of the historic annual purchase of service costs for SDS
program participants. In subsequent fiscal years, the department
shall annually provide for establishment of savings to the General
Fund equivalent to 5 percent of the annual purchase of services costs
for SDS Program participants, averaged over the prior two fiscal
years.
   (h) A regional center may advance funds to a financial management
services entity pursuant to SDS Program regulations to facilitate
development of a participant's individual budget and transition into
the SDS Program.
   (i) Participation in the SDS Program shall be available to any
regional center consumer who meets the following eligibility
requirements.
   (1) The participant is three years of age or older.
   (2) The participant has a developmental disability, as defined in
Section 4512.
   (3) The participant does not live in a licensed long-term health
care facility, as defined in paragraph (44) of subdivision (a) of
Section 54302 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, or a
residential facility, as defined in paragraph (55) of subdivision
(a) of Section 54302 of Title 17 of the California Code of
Regulations, or receive day program or habilitation services, as
defined in paragraph (16) or (34) of subdivision (a) of Section 54302
of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, respectively. An
individual, and when appropriate, his or her parent, legal guardian
or conservator, or authorized representative, who is not eligible to
participate in the SDS Program pursuant to this paragraph, may
request that the regional center provide person-centered planning
services in order to make arrangements for transition to the SDS
Program. In that case, the regional center shall initiate
person-centered planning services within 60 days of a request.
   (4) The participant agrees to all of the following terms and
conditions:
   (A) The participant shall undergo an in-depth orientation to the
SDS Program prior to enrollment.
   (B) The participant shall agree to utilize the services and
supports available within the SDS Program only when generic services
cannot be accessed, and except for Medi-Cal state plan benefits when
applicable.
   (C) The participant shall consent to use only services necessary
to implement his or her individual program plan as described in the
IPSD Waiver Program, and as defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision
(b), as an available service in the SDS Program, and shall agree to
comply with any and all other terms and conditions for participation
in the SDS Program described in this section.
   (D) The participant shall manage self-directed services within the
individual budget amount, chosen pursuant to subdivision (e).
   (E) The participant shall utilize the services of a financial
management services entity of his or her own choosing. A financial
management services provider may either be hired or designated by the
participant. A designated financial management services provider
shall perform services on a nonpaid basis. An individual or a parent
of an individual in the SDS Program shall provide financial
management services only as a designated provider and only if the
capacity to fulfill the roles and responsibilities as described in
the financial management services provider qualifications can be
demonstrated to the regional center.
   (F) The participant shall utilize the services of a supports
broker of his or her own choosing for the purpose of providing
services and functions as described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subdivision (b). A supports broker may either be hired or designated
by the participant. A designated supports broker shall perform
support brokerage services on a nonpaid basis. An individual or a
parent of an individual in the SDS Program shall provide supports
brokerage services or his or her designated representative shall
provide the services only as a designated provider and only if the
capacity to fulfill the role and responsibilities as described in the
supports broker provider qualifications can be demonstrated to the
financial management services entity.
   (j) A participant who is not Medi-Cal eligible may participate in
the SDS Program without IPSD Waiver Program enrollment and receive
self-directed services if all other IPSD Waiver Program eligibility
requirements are met.
   (k) The planning team, established pursuant to subdivision (j) of
Section 4512, shall utilize the person-centered planning process to
develop the Individual Program Plan (IPP) for an SDS participant. The
IPP shall detail the goals and objectives of the participant that
are to be met through the purchase of participant selected services
and supports.
   (l) The participant shall implement his or her IPP, including
choosing the services and supports allowable under this section
necessary to implement the plan. A regional center may not prohibit
the purchase of any service or support that is otherwise allowable
under this section.
   (m) An adult may designate an authorized representative to effect
the implementation. The representative shall meet all of the
following requirements:
   (1) He or she shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
participant's needs and preferences.
   (2) He or she shall be willing and able to comply with SDS Program
requirements.
   (3) He or she shall be at least 18 years of age.
   (4) He or she shall be approved by the participant to act in the
capacity of a representative.
   (n) The participant, or his or her authorized representative and
the regional center case manager shall receive a monthly budget
statement that describes the amount of funds allocated by budget
category, the amount spent in the previous 30-day period, and the
amount of funding that remains available under the participant's
individual budget.
   (o) If at any time during participation in the SDS Program a
regional center determines that an individual is no longer eligible
to continue based on the criteria described in subdivision (i), or a
participant voluntarily chooses to exit the SDS Program, the regional
center shall provide for the participant's transition from the SDS
Program to other services and supports. This shall include the
development of a new individual program plan that reflects the
services and supports necessary to meet the individual's needs. The
regional center shall ensure that there is no gap in services and
supports during the transition period.
   (1) Upon determination of ineligibility pursuant to this
subdivision, the regional center shall inform the participant in
writing of his or her ineligibility, the reason for the determination
of ineligibility and shall provide a written notice of the fair
hearing rights, as required by Section 4701.
   (2) An individual determined ineligible, or who voluntarily exits
the SDS Program, shall be permitted to return to the SDS Program upon
meeting all applicable eligibility criteria and after a minimum of
12 months time has elapsed.
   (p) A participant in the SDS Program shall have all the rights
established in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 4700), except as
provided under paragraph (6) of subdivision (e).
   (q) Only a financial management services provider is required to
apply for vendorization in accordance with Subchapter 2 (commencing
with Section 54300) of Chapter 3 of Title 17 of the California Code
of Regulations, for the SDS Program. All other service providers
shall have applicable state licenses, certifications, or other state
required documentation, but are exempt from the vendorization
requirements set forth in Title 17 of the California Code of
Regulations. The financial management services entity shall ensure
and document that all service providers meet specified requirements
for any service that may be delivered to the participant.
   (r) A participant in the SDS Program may request, at no charge to
the participant or the regional center, criminal history background
checks for persons seeking employment as a service provider and
providing direct care services to the participant.
   (1) Criminal history records checks pursuant to this subdivision
shall be performed and administered as described in subdivision (b)
and subdivisions (d) to (h), inclusive, of Section 4689.2, and
Sections 4689.4 to 4689.6, inclusive, and shall apply to
vendorization of providers and hiring of employees to provide
services for family home agencies and family homes.
   (2) The department may enter into a written agreement with the
Department of Justice to implement this subdivision.
   (s) A participant enrolled in the SDS Program pursuant to this
section and utilizing an individual budget for services and supports
is exempt from Section 4783 and from the Family Cost Participation
Program.
   (t) Notwithstanding any provision of law, an individual receiving
services and supports under the self-determination projects
established pursuant to Section 4685.5 may elect to continue to
receive self-determination services within his or her current scope
and existing procedures and parameters. Participation in a
self-determination project pursuant to Section 4685.5 may only be
terminated upon a participant's voluntary election and qualification
to receive services under another delivery system.
   (u) Each regional center shall be responsible for implementing an
SDS Program as a term of its contract under Section 4629.
   (v) Commencing January 10, 2008, the department shall annually
provide the following information to the policy and fiscal committees
of the Legislature:
   (1) Number and characteristics of participants, by regional
center.
   (2) Types and ranking of services and supports purchased under the
SDS Program, by regional center.
   (3) Range and average of individual budgets, by regional center.
   (4) Utilization of the risk pool, including range and average
individual budget augmentations and type of service, by regional
centers.
   (5) Information regarding consumer satisfaction under the SDS
Program and, when data is available, the traditional service delivery
system, by regional center.
   (6) The proportion of participants who report that their choices
and decisions are respected and supported.
   (7) The proportion of participants who report they are able to
recruit and hire qualified service providers.
   (8) The number and outcome of individual budget appeals, by
regional center.
   (9) The number and outcome of fair hearing appeals, by regional
center.
   (10) The number of participants who voluntarily withdraw from
participation in the SDS Program and a summary of the reasons why, by
regional center.
   (11) The number of participants who are subsequently determined to
no longer be eligible for the SDS Program and a summary of the
reasons why, by regional center.
   (12) Identification of barriers to participation and
recommendations for program improvements.
   (13) A comparison of average annual expenditures for individuals
with similar characteristics not participating in the SDS Program.



4686.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an in-home
respite worker may perform gastrostomy care and feeding of clients of
regional centers, after successful completion of training as
provided in this section.
   (b) In order to be eligible to receive training for purposes of
this section, an in-home respite worker shall submit to the trainer
proof of successful completion of a first aid course and successful
completion of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course within the
preceding year.
   (c) The training in gastrostomy care and feeding required under
this section shall be provided by physicians or registered nurses
through a gastroenterology or surgical center in an acute care
hospital, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health
and Safety Code, which meets California Children Services' Program
standards for centers for children with congenital gastrointestinal
disorders, or comparable standards for adults, or by a physician or
registered nurse who has been certified to provide training by the
center.
   (d) The gastroenterology or surgical center providing the training
shall develop a training protocol which shall be submitted for
approval to the State Department of Developmental Services.  The
department shall approve those protocols which specifically address
all of the following:
   (1) Care of the gastrostomy site.
   (2) Performance of gastrostomy tube feeding.
   (3) Identification of, and appropriate response to, problems and
complications associated with gastrostomy care and feeding.
   (4) Continuing education requirements.
   (e) Training by the gastroenterology or surgical center, or the
certified physician or registered nurse, shall be done in accordance
with the approved training protocol.  Training of in-home respite
workers shall be specific to the individual needs of the
developmentally disabled regional center client receiving the
gastrostomy feeding and shall be in accordance with orders from the
client's treating physician or surgeon.
   (f) The primary care physician shall give assurances to the
regional center that the patient's condition is stable prior to the
regional center's purchasing in-home gastrostomy care for the client
through an appropriately trained respite worker.
   (g) Prior to the purchase of in-home gastrostomy care through a
trained respite worker, the regional center shall do all of the
following:
   (1) Ensure that a nursing assessment of the client, performed by a
registered nurse, is conducted to determine whether an in-home
respite worker, licensed vocational nurse, or registered nurse may
perform the services.
   (2) Ensure that a nursing assessment of the home has been
conducted to determine whether gastrostomy care and feeding can
appropriately be provided in that setting.
   (h) The agency providing in-home respite services shall do all of
the following:
   (1) Ensure adequate training of the in-home respite worker.
   (2) Ensure that telephone backup and emergency consultation by a
registered nurse or physician is available.
   (3) Develop a plan for care of the gastrostomy site and for
gastrostomy tube feeding to be carried out by the respite worker.
   (4) Ensure that the in-home respite worker and the gastrostomy
services provided by the respite worker are adequately supervised by
a registered nurse.
   (i) For purposes of this section, "in-home respite worker" means
an individual employed by an agency which is vendored by a regional
center to provide in-home respite services.  These agencies include,
but are not limited to, in-home respite services agencies, home
health agencies, or other agencies providing these services.



4687.  Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature
recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to have
relationships, marry, be a part of a family, and to parent if they so
choose.  The Legislature further recognizes that individuals with
developmental disabilities may need support and counseling in order
to make informed decisions in these areas.  In order to achieve these
goals, the following services may be made available to persons with
developmental disabilities:
   (a) Sexuality training.
   (b) Parenting skills training.
   (c) Supported living arrangements for parents with developmental
disabilities and their children.
   (d) Advocacy assistance to deal with agencies, including, but not
limited to, child protective services, and assistance in
reunification planning.
   (e) Family counseling services.
   (f) Other services and supports listed in Section 4685 when needed
to maintain and strengthen the family unit, where one or both of the
parents is an individual with developmental disabilities.




4688.  (a) Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature
places a high priority on providing opportunities for individuals
with developmental disabilities to be integrated into the mainstream
life of their natural communities. In order to ensure that
opportunities for integration are maximized, the procedure described
in subdivision (b) shall be adopted.
   (b) Regional centers shall be responsible for expanding
opportunities for the full and equal participation of persons with
developmental disabilities in their local communities through,
activities, that may include, but shall not be limited to, the
following:
   (1) Outreach to, and training and education of, representatives of
community service agencies and programs, businesses, and community
activity providers regarding the provision and expansion of
opportunities for participation by regional center consumers.
   (2) Developing a community resources list.
   (3) Providing assistance to case managers and family members on
expanding community integration options for consumers in the areas of
work, recreation, social, community service, education, and public
services.
   (4) Developing and facilitating the use of innovative methods of
contracting with community members to provide support in natural
environments to regional center consumers.
   (5) Development and facilitating the use of natural supports to
enhance community participation.
   (6) Providing technical assistance to, and coordinating with,
community support facilitators who will be used to provide supports
to individual consumers for community participation, as needed.
   (7) Providing sources of information relevant to individuals in
making informed choices about employment options.  This information
may include, but need not be limited to, work incentive programs for
persons with developmental disabilities, access and retention of
needed benefits, interactions of earned income, asset building, or
other financial changes on benefits, employment programs and
protections, taxpayer requirements and responsibilities, training
opportunities, and information and services available through other
agencies, organizations, or on the Internet.



4688.5.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
contrary, the department may approve a proposal or proposals by
Golden Gate Regional Center, Regional Center of the East Bay, and San
Andreas Regional Center to provide for, secure, and assure the full
payment of a lease or leases on housing, developed pursuant to this
section, based on the availability for occupancy in each home, if all
of the following conditions are met:
   (1) The acquired or developed real property is available for
occupancy by individuals eligible for regional center services and is
integrated with housing for people without disabilities.
   (2) The regional center has approved the proposed ownership
entity, management entity, and developer or development entity for
each project, and, prior to granting the approval, has consulted with
the department and has provided to the department a proposal that
includes the credentials of the proposed entities.
   (3) The costs associated with the proposal are reasonable.
   (4) The proposal includes a plan for a transfer at a time certain
of the real property's ownership to a nonprofit entity to be approved
by the regional center.
   (b) Prior to approving a regional center proposal pursuant to
subdivision (a), the department, in consultation with the California
Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing and Community
Development shall review all of the following:
   (1) The terms and conditions of the financing structure for
acquisition and/or development of the real property.
   (2) Any and all agreements that govern the real property's
ownership, occupancy, maintenance, management, and operation, to
ensure that the use of the property is maintained for the benefit of
persons with developmental disabilities.
   (c) No sale encumbrance, hypothecation, assignment, refinancing,
pledge, conveyance, exchange or transfer in any other form of the
real property, or of any of its interest therein, shall occur without
the prior written approval of the department and the Health and
Human Services Agency.
   (d) Notice of the restrictions pursuant to this section shall be
recorded against the acquired or developed real property subject to
this section.
   (e) At least 45 days prior to granting approval under subdivision
(c), the department shall provide notice to the chairs and vice
chairs of the fiscal committees of the Assembly and the Senate, the
Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency, and the Director
of Finance.
   (f) The regional center shall not be eligible to acquire or
develop real property for the purpose of residential housing.




4689.  Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature places
a high priority on providing opportunities for adults with
developmental disabilities, regardless of the degree of disability,
to live in homes that they own or lease with support available as
often and for as long as it is needed, when that is the preferred
objective in the individual program plan.  In order to provide
opportunities for adults to live in their own homes, the following
procedures shall be adopted:
   (a) The department and regional centers shall ensure that
supported living arrangements adhere to the following principles:
   (1) Consumers shall be supported in living arrangements which are
typical of those in which persons without disabilities reside.
   (2) The services or supports that a consumer receives shall change
as his or her needs change without the consumer having to move
elsewhere.
   (3) The consumer's preference shall guide decisions concerning
where and with whom he or she lives.
   (4) Consumers shall have control over the environment within their
own home.
   (5) The purpose of furnishing services and supports to a consumer
shall be to assist that individual to exercise choice in his or her
life while building critical and durable relationships with other
individuals.
   (6) The services or supports shall be flexible and tailored to a
consumer's needs and preferences.
   (7) Services and supports are most effective when furnished where
a person lives and within the context of his or her day-to-day
activities.
   (8) Consumers shall not be excluded from supported living
arrangements based solely on the nature and severity of their
disabilities.
   (b) Regional centers may contract with agencies or individuals to
assist consumers in securing their own homes and to provide consumers
with the supports needed to live in their own homes.
   (c) The range of supported living services and supports available
include, but are not limited to, assessment of consumer needs;
assistance in finding, modifying and maintaining a home; facilitating
circles of support to encourage the development of unpaid and
natural supports in the community; advocacy and self-advocacy
facilitation; development of employment goals; social, behavioral,
and daily living skills training and support; development and
provision of 24-hour emergency response systems; securing and
maintaining adaptive equipment and supplies; recruiting, training,
and hiring individuals to provide personal care and other assistance,
including in-home supportive services workers, paid neighbors, and
paid roommates; providing respite and emergency relief for personal
care attendants; and facilitating community participation.
Assessment of consumer needs may begin before 18 years of age to
enable the consumer to move to his or her own home when he or she
reaches 18 years of age.
   (d) Regional centers shall provide information and education to
consumers and their families about supported living principles and
services.
   (e) Regional centers shall monitor and ensure the quality of
services and supports provided to individuals living in homes that
they own or lease.  Monitoring shall take into account all of the
following:
   (1) Adherence to the principles set forth in this section.
   (2) Whether the services and supports outlined in the consumer's
individual program plan are congruent with the choices and needs of
the individual.
   (3) Whether services and supports described in the consumer's
individual program plan are being delivered.
   (4) Whether services and supports are having the desired effects.

   (5) Whether the consumer is satisfied with the services and
supports.


4689.1.  (a) The Legislature declares that it places a high priority
on providing opportunities for adults with developmental
disabilities to live with families approved by family home agencies
and to receive services and supports in those settings as determined
by the individual program plan.  Family home agencies may offer
services and supports in family homes or family teaching homes.  All
requirements of this section and Sections 4689.2 to 4689.6,
inclusive, shall apply to a family home and a family teaching home.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "family home" means a home that
is owned, leased, or rented by, and is the family residence of, the
family home provider or providers, and in which services and supports
are provided to a maximum of two adults with developmental
disabilities regardless of their degree of disability, and who do not
require continuous skilled nursing care.
   (c) For purposes of this section, "family teaching home" means a
home that is owned, leased, or rented by the family home agency
wherein the family home provider and the individual have independent
residences, either contiguous or attached, and in which services and
supports are provided to a maximum of three adults with developmental
disabilities regardless of their degree of disability, and who do
not require continuous skilled nursing care.
   (d) For purposes of this section, "family home agency" means a
private not-for-profit agency that is vendored to do all of the
following:
   (1) Recruit, approve, train, and monitor family home providers.
   (2) Provide social services and in-home support to family home
providers.
   (3) Assist adults with developmental disabilities in moving into
approved family homes.
   (e) For purposes of ensuring that regional centers may secure high
quality services that provide supports in natural settings and
promote inclusion and meaningful participation in community life for
adults with developmental disabilities, the department shall
promulgate regulations for family home agencies, family teaching
homes, and family homes that shall include, but not be limited to,
standards and requirements related to all of the following:
   (1) Selection criteria for regional centers to apply in vendoring
family home agencies, including, but not limited to, all of the
following:
   (A) The need for service.
   (B) The experience of the agency or key personnel in providing the
same or comparable services.
   (C) The reasonableness of the agency's overhead.
   (D) The capability of the regional center to monitor and evaluate
the vendor.
   (2) Vendorization.
   (3) Operation of family home agencies, including, but not limited
to, all of the following:
   (A) Recruitment.
   (B) Approval of family homes.
   (C) Qualifications, training, and monitoring of family home
providers.
   (D) Assistance to consumers in moving into approved family homes.

   (E) The range of services and supports to be provided.
   (F) Family home agency staffing levels, qualifications, and
training.
   (4) Program design.
   (5) Program and consumer records.
   (6) Family homes.
   (7) (A) Rates of payment for family home agencies and approved
family home providers.  In developing the rates pursuant to
regulation, the department may require family home agencies and
family homes to submit program cost or other information, as
determined by the department.
   (B) Regional center reimbursement to family home agencies for
services in a family home shall not exceed rates for similar
individuals when residing in other types of out-of-home care
established pursuant to Section 4681.1.
   (8) The department and regional center's monitoring and evaluation
of the family home agency and approved homes, which shall be
designed to ensure that services do all of the following:
   (A) Conform to applicable laws and regulations and provide for the
consumer's health and well-being.
   (B) Assist the consumer in understanding and exercising his or her
individual rights.
   (C) Are consistent with the family home agency's program design
and the consumer's individual program plan.
   (D) Maximize the consumer's opportunities to have choices in where
he or she lives, works, and socializes.
   (E) Provide a supportive family home environment, available to the
consumer 24 hours a day, that is clean, comfortable, and
accommodating to the consumer's cultural preferences, values, and
lifestyle.
   (F) Are satisfactory to the consumer, as indicated by the consumer'
s quality of life as assessed by the consumer, his or her family, and
if appointed, conservator, or significant others, or all of these,
as well as by evaluation of outcomes relative to individual program
plan objectives.
   (9) Monthly monitoring visits by family home agency social service
staff to approved family homes and family teaching homes.
   (10) Procedures whereby the regional center and the department may
enforce applicable provisions of law and regulation, investigate
allegations of abuse or neglect, and impose sanctions on family home
agencies and approved family homes and family teaching homes,
including, but not limited to, all of the following:
   (A) Requiring movement of a consumer from a family home under
specified circumstances.
   (B) Termination of approval of a family home or family teaching
home.
   (C) Termination of the family home agency's vendorization.
   (11) Appeal procedures.
   (f) Each adult with developmental disabilities placed in a family
home or family teaching home shall have the rights specified in this
division, including, but not limited to, the rights specified in
Section 4503.
   (g) Prior to placement in a family home of an adult with
developmental disabilities who has a conservator, consent of the
conservator shall be obtained.
   (h) The adoption of any emergency regulations to implement this
section that are filed with the Office of Administrative Law within
one year of the date on which the act that added this section took
effect shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or
general welfare.


4689.2.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
section to require the filing of fingerprints of those individuals
whose contact with consumers receiving services and supports from
family home agencies, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section
4689.1, and family homes, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section
4689.1, may pose a risk to the consumers' health and safety.
   (b) As part of the vendor approval process for family home
agencies and family homes, the State Department of Developmental
Services shall secure from the Department of Justice and, if
applicable, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a full criminal
history to determine whether the applicant or any other person
specified in subdivision (c) has ever been convicted of, or arrested
for, a crime other than a minor traffic violation.  If it is found
that the applicant, or any other person specified in subdivision (c),
has been convicted of, or is awaiting trial for, a crime other than
a minor traffic violation, the vendor application shall be denied,
unless the director grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f).
If no criminal record information has been recorded, the Department
of Justice shall provide the applicant and the State Department of
Developmental Services with a statement of that fact.
   (c) In addition to the applicant, this section shall be applicable
to criminal convictions of the following persons:
   (1) Adults responsible for administration or direct supervision of
staff.
   (2) Any adult other than a consumer residing in the family home.
   (3) Any adult who provides assistance to the consumer in dressing,
grooming, bathing, or personal hygiene.
   (4) Any staff person, employee, consultant, or volunteer who has
frequent and routine contact with the consumer.  In determining who
has frequent contact, any consultant or volunteer shall be exempt
unless the volunteer is used to replace or supplement staff or family
home personnel in providing services or supports, or both, to
consumers.  In determining who has routine contact, staff and
employees under direct onsite supervision of the family home agency
and who are not providing direct services and supports or who have
only occasional or intermittent contact with consumers shall be
exempt.
   (5) The executive director of the entity applying for
vendorization or other person serving in like capacity.
   (6) Officers of the governing body of the applicant, or other
persons with a financial interest in the applicant, as determined
necessary by the department by regulation.  The criteria used in the
development of these regulations shall be based on the person's
capability to exercise substantial influence over the operation of
the family home agency or family home.
   (d) (1) Subsequent to vendorization, any person specified in
subdivision (c) and not exempted from fingerprinting shall, as a
condition to employment, residence, or presence in a family home
agency or a family home, be fingerprinted and sign a declaration
under penalty of perjury regarding any prior criminal convictions.
The vendor shall submit these fingerprints to the Department of
Justice not later than four calendar days following employment,
residence, or initial presence in the family home agency or family
home.  These fingerprints shall be on a card provided by the State
Department of Developmental Services for the purpose of obtaining a
permanent set of fingerprints.  If fingerprints are not submitted to
the Department of Justice, as required in this section, that failure
shall result in a sanction and the fingerprints shall then be
submitted to the State Department of Developmental Services for
processing.  Upon request of the vendor, who shall enclose a
self-addressed stamped postcard for this purpose, the Department of
Justice shall verify receipt of the fingerprints.
   (2) Within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the fingerprints,
the Department of Justice shall notify the State Department of
Developmental Services of the criminal record information, as
provided in subdivision (b).  If no criminal record information has
been recorded, the Department of Justice shall provide the vendor and
the State Department of Developmental Services with a statement of
that fact within 15 calendar days of receipt of the fingerprints.  If
new fingerprints are required for processing, the Department of
Justice shall, within 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of
the fingerprints, notify the vendor that the fingerprints were
illegible.
   (3) (A) Except for persons specified in paragraph (2) of
subdivision (c), the vendor shall endeavor to ascertain the previous
employment history of persons required to be fingerprinted under this
subdivision.  If it is determined by the State Department of
Developmental Services, on the basis of the fingerprints submitted to
the Department of Justice, that the person has been convicted of, or
is awaiting trial for, a sex offense against a minor, or has been
convicted for an offense specified in Section 243.4, 273a, 273d, or
subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or has been
convicted of a felony, the State Department of Developmental Services
shall notify the vendor to act immediately to terminate the person's
employment, remove the person from the family home, or bar the
person from entering the family home.  The State Department of
Developmental Services may subsequently grant an exemption pursuant
to subdivision (f).
   (B) If the conviction or arrest was for another crime, except a
minor traffic violation, the vendor shall, upon notification by the
State Department of Developmental Services, act immediately to do
either of the following:
   (i) Terminate the person's employment, remove the person from the
family home, or bar the person from entering the family home.
   (ii) Seek an exemption pursuant to subdivision (f).  The State
Department of Developmental Services shall determine if the person
shall be permitted to remain in the family home until a decision on
the exemption is rendered.
   (e) For purposes of this section or any other provision of this
chapter, a conviction means a plea or verdict of guilty or a
conviction following a plea of nolo contendere.  Any action that the
State Department of Developmental Services is permitted to take
following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the
time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been
affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made
suspending the imposition of sentence, notwithstanding a subsequent
order pursuant to Sections 1203.4 and 1203.4a of the Penal Code
permitting the person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty, or
dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.  For purposes
of this section or any other provision of this chapter, the record of
a conviction, or a copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court
or by a judge of the court in which the conviction occurred, shall be
conclusive evidence of the conviction.  For purposes of this section
or any other provision of this chapter, the arrest disposition
report certified by the Department of Justice and, if applicable, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, or documents admissible in a
criminal action pursuant to Section 969b of the Penal Code, shall be
prima facie evidence of the conviction, notwithstanding any other
provision of law prohibiting the admission of these documents in a
civil or administrative action.
   (f) After review of the record, the Director of Developmental
Services may grant an exemption from denial of vendor approval
pursuant to subdivision (b), or for employment in a family home
agency or family home of residence or presence in a family home as
specified in subdivision (c), if the director has substantial and
convincing evidence to support a reasonable belief that the applicant
and the person convicted of the crime, if other than the applicant,
are of such good character as to justify vendor approval or granting
an exemption for purposes of subdivision (c).  Except as otherwise
provided in this subdivision, no exemption shall be granted if the
conviction was for an offense specified in Section 220, 243.4, 264.1,
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 273a, Section 273d, 288,
289, or subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 368 of the Penal Code, or
for another crime against an individual specified in subdivision (c)
of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code.  The director may grant an
exemption if the employee, prospective employee, or other person
identified in subdivision (c) who was convicted of a crime against an
individual in paragraph (1), (2), (7), or (8) of subdivision (c) of
Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, has been rehabilitated as provided
in Section 4852.03 of the Penal Code and has maintained the conduct
required in Section 4852.05 of the Penal Code for at least 10 years
and has the recommendation of the district attorney representing the
employee's county of residence, or if the employee, prospective
employee, or other persons identified in subdivision (c) has received
a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing
with Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code.
   (g) For purposes of compliance with this section, the department
may permit an individual to transfer a current criminal record
clearance, as described in subdivision (b), from one family home
agency or family home to another, as long as the criminal record
clearance has been processed through the State Department of
Developmental Services.
   (h) If a family home agency or a family home is required by law to
deny employment or to terminate employment of any employee based on
written notification from the state department pursuant to
subdivision (c) the family home agency or the family home shall not
incur civil liability or unemployment insurance liability as a result
of that denial or termination.



4689.3.  (a) A family home agency shall not place an adult with
developmental disabilities in a family home until the family home
agency has received a criminal record clearance from the State
Department of Developmental Services pursuant to Section 4689.2,
except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c).
   (b) Any peace officer, or other category of person approved by the
department subject to criminal record clearance as a condition of
employment, and who has submitted fingerprints and executed a
declaration regarding criminal convictions, may receive an adult with
developmental disabilities in placement pending the receipt of a
criminal record clearance when the family home has met all other
requirements for vendor approval.
   (c) Any person currently approved as a vendor pursuant to this
chapter by the department when the family home has met all other
requirements, and who has submitted fingerprints and executed a
declaration regarding criminal convictions, may receive, or continue,
an adult with developmental disabilities in placement pending the
receipt of a criminal record clearance.


4689.4.  The State Department of Developmental Services may deny an
application for vendorization or terminate vendorization as a family
home agency or family home upon the grounds that the applicant for
vendorization, the vendor, or any other person mentioned in Section
4689.2 has been convicted at any time of a crime, except a minor
traffic violation.



4689.5.  (a) Proceeding for the termination, or denial of
vendorization as a family home agency or family home pursuant to
Section 4689.4 shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of
the Government Code, and the State Department of Developmental
Services shall have all the powers granted by Chapter 5.  In the
event of conflict between this section and Chapter 5, Chapter 5 shall
prevail.
   (b) In all proceedings conducted in accordance with this section,
the standard of proof to be applied shall be a preponderance of the
evidence.
   (c) The hearing shall be held within 90 calendar days after
receipt of the notice of defense, unless a continuance of the hearing
is granted by the department or the administrative law judge.  When
the matter has been set for hearing, only the administrative law
judge may grant a continuance of the hearing.  The administrative law
judge may grant a continuance of the hearing, but only upon finding
the existence of one or more of the following:
   (1) The death or incapacitating illness of a party, a
representative or attorney of a party, a witness to an essential
fact, or of the parent, child, or member of the household of that
person, when it is not feasible to substitute another representative,
attorney, or witness because of the proximity of the hearing date.
   (2) Lack of notice of hearing as provided in Section 11509 of the
Government Code.
   (3) A material change in the status of the case where a change in
the parties or pleadings requires postponement, or an executed
settlement or stipulated findings of fact obviate the need for
hearing.  A partial amendment of the pleadings shall not be good
cause for continuance to the extent that the unamended portion of the
pleadings is ready to be heard.
   (4) A stipulation for continuance signed by all parties or their
authorized representatives that is communicated with the request for
continuance to the administrative law judge no later than 25 business
days before the hearing.
   (5) The substitution of the representative or attorney of a party
upon showing that the substitution is required.
   (6) The unavailability of a party, representative, or attorney of
a party, or witness to an essential fact due to a conflicting and
required appearance in a judicial matter if when the hearing date was
set, the person did not know and could neither anticipate nor at any
time avoid the conflict, and the conflict with request for
continuance is immediately communicated to the administrative law
judge.
   (7) The unavailability of a party, a representative or attorney of
a party, or a material witness due to an unavoidable emergency.
   (8) Failure by a party to comply with a timely discovery request
if the continuance request is made by the party who requested the
discovery.
   (d) In addition to the witness fees and mileage provided by
Section 11450.40 of the Government Code, the department may pay
actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses in an amount not to exceed
the per diem allowance payable to a nonrepresented state employee on
travel status.  The department may pay witness expenses in advance
of the hearing.



4689.6.  (a) The State Department of Developmental Services may
prohibit a vendor from employing, or continuing the employment of, or
allowing in a family home, or allowing contact with any adult with a
developmental disability placed in a family home by, any employee or
prospective employee, who has been denied an exemption to work or to
be present in a facility, when that person has been convicted of a
crime, except a minor traffic violation.
   (b) The employee or prospective employee, and the vendor shall be
given written notice of the basis of the department's action and of
the employee's or prospective employee's right to a hearing.  The
notice shall be served either by personal service or by registered
mail.  Within 15 days after the department serves the notice, the
employee or prospective employee may file with the department a
written request for a hearing.  If the employee or prospective
employee fails to file a written request for a hearing within the
prescribed time, the department's action shall be final.
   (c) (1) The department may require the immediate exclusion of an
employee or prospective employee from a family home agency or family
home pending a final decision of the matter, when, in the opinion of
the director, the action is necessary to protect any adult with a
developmental disability placed in the family home from physical or
mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to his or
her health and safety.
   (2) If the department requires the immediate exclusion of an
employee or prospective employee from a family home agency or family
home, the department shall serve an order of immediate exclusion upon
the employee or prospective employee that shall notify the employee
or prospective employee of the basis of the department's action and
of the employee's or prospective employee's right to a hearing.
   (3) Within 15 days after the department serves an order of
immediate exclusion, the employee or prospective employee may file a
written request for a hearing with the department.  The department's
action shall be final if the employee or prospective employee does
not file a request for a hearing within the prescribed time.  The
department shall do the following upon receipt of a written request
for a hearing:
   (A) Within 80 days of receipt of the request for a hearing, serve
an accusation upon the employee or prospective employee.
   (B) Within 60 days of receipt of a notice of defense by the
employee or prospective employee pursuant to Section 11506 of the
Government Code, conduct a hearing on the statement of issues.
   (4) An order of immediate exclusion of the employee or prospective
employee from the family home agency or family home shall remain in
effect until the hearing is completed and the director has made a
final determination on the merits.  However, the order of immediate
exclusion shall be deemed vacated if the director fails to make a
final determination on the merits within 60 days after the original
hearing has been completed.
   (d) An employee or prospective employee who files a written
request for a hearing with the department pursuant to this section
shall, as part of the written request, provide his or her current
mailing address.  The employee or prospective employee shall
subsequently notify the department in writing of any change in
mailing address, until the hearing process has been completed or
terminated.
   (e) Hearings held pursuant to this section shall be conducted in
accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1
of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.  The standard of
proof shall be the preponderance of the evidence and the burden of
proof shall be on the department.
   (f) The department may institute or continue a disciplinary
proceeding against an employee or prospective employee upon any
ground provided by this section, or enter an order prohibiting the
employee's or prospective employee's employment or presence in the
family home agency or family home or otherwise take disciplinary
action against the employee or prospective employee, notwithstanding
any resignation, withdrawal of employment application, or change of
duties by the employee or prospective employee, or any discharge,
failure to hire, or reassignment of the employee or prospective
employee by the vendor.
   (g) A vendor's failure to comply with the department's prohibition
of employment or presence in the family home agency or family home
shall be grounds for disciplining the vendor pursuant to Section
4689.4.



4689.7.  (a) For the 1998-99 fiscal year, levels of payment for
supported living service providers that are vendored pursuant to
Section 4689 shall be increased based on the amount appropriated in
this section for the purpose of increasing the salary, wage, and
benefits for direct care workers providing supported living services.

   (b) The sum of five million fifty-seven thousand dollars
(,057,000) is hereby appropriated in augmentation of the
appropriations made in the Budget Act of 1998 to implement this
section as follows:
   (1) The sum of two million four hundred five thousand dollars
(,405,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the
State Department of Health Services in augmentation of the
appropriation made in Item 4260-101-0001.
   (2) The sum of two million five hundred fifty-one thousand dollars
(,551,000) is hereby appropriated from the Federal Trust Fund to
the State Department of Health Services in augmentation of the
appropriation made in Item 4260-101-0890.
   (3) The sum of one hundred one thousand dollars (1,000) is
hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
Developmental Services in augmentation of the appropriation made in
Item 4300-101-0001, scheduled as follows:


    10.10--Regional Centers
      (b) 10.10.020 Purchase of Services        ,057,000
      (e) Reimbursements                       -,956,000

   (c) By July 1, 2002, in consultation with stakeholder
organizations, the department shall establish by regulation, an
equitable and cost-effective methodology for the determination of
supported living costs and a methodology of payment for providers of
supported living services.  The methodology shall consider the
special needs of persons with developmental disabilities and the
quality of services to be provided.


4689.8.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation,
commencing July 1, 2008:
   (a) No regional center may pay an existing supported living
service provider, for services where rates are determined through a
negotiation between the regional center and the provider, a rate
higher than the rate in effect on June 30, 2008, unless the increase
is required by a contract between the regional center and the vendor
that is in effect on June 30, 2008, or the regional center
demonstrates that the approval is necessary to protect the consumer's
health or safety and the department has granted prior written
authorization.
   (b) No regional center may negotiate a rate with a new supported
living service provider, for services where rates are determined
through a negotiation between the regional center and the provider,
that is higher than the regional center's median rate for the same
service code and unit of service, or the statewide median rate for
the same service code and unit of service, whichever is lower. The
unit of service designation shall conform with an existing regional
center designation or, if none exists, a designation used to
calculate the statewide median rate for the same service. The
regional center shall annually certify to the State Department of
Developmental Services its median rate for each negotiated rate
service code, by designated unit of service. This certification shall
be subject to verification through the department's biennial fiscal
audit of the regional center.