2011 California Code
Welfare and Institutions Code
DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES [10000 - 18996]
ARTICLE 7. In-Home Supportive Services
Section 12301.1

(a) The department shall adopt regulations establishing a uniform range of services available to all eligible recipients based upon individual needs. The availability of services under these regulations is subject to the provisions of Section 12301 and county plans developed pursuant to Section 12302.

(b) The county welfare department shall assess each recipient s continuing need for supportive services at varying intervals as necessary, but at least once every 12 months.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), at the county s option, assessments may be extended, on a case-by-case basis, for up to six months beyond the regular 12-month period, provided that the county documents that all of the following conditions exist:

(A) The recipient has had at least one reassessment since the initial program intake assessment.

(B) The recipient s living arrangement has not changed since the last annual reassessment and the recipient lives with others, or has regular meaningful contact with persons other than his or her service provider.

(C) The recipient or, if the recipient is a minor, his or her parent or legal guardian, or if incompetent, his or her conservator, is able to satisfactorily direct the recipient s care.

(D) There has been no known change in the recipient s supportive service needs within the previous 24 months.

(E) No reports have been made to, and there has been no involvement of, an adult protective services agency or agencies since the county last assessed the recipient.

(F) The recipient has not had a change in provider or providers for at least six months.

(G) The recipient has not reported a change in his or her need for supportive services that requires a reassessment.

(H) The recipient has not been hospitalized within the last three months.

(2) If some, but not all, of the conditions specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) are met, the county may consider other factors in determining whether an extended assessment interval is appropriate, including, but not limited to, involvement in the recipient s care of a social worker, case manager, or other similar representative from another human services agency, such as a regional center or county mental health program, or communications, or other instructions from a physician or other licensed health care professional that the recipient s medical condition is unlikely to change.

(3) A county may reassess a recipient s need for services at a time interval of less than 12 months from a recipient s initial intake or last assessment if the county social worker has information indicating that the recipient s need for services is expected to decrease in less than 12 months.

(d) A county shall assess a recipient s need for supportive services any time that the recipient notifies the county of a need to adjust the supportive services hours authorized, or when there are other indications or expectations of a change in circumstances affecting the recipient s need for supportive services.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, until emergency regulations are filed with the Secretary of State, the department may implement this section through all-county letters or similar instructions from the director. The department shall adopt emergency regulations implementing this section no later than September 30, 2005, unless notification of a delay is made to the Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee prior to that date. The notification shall include the reason for the delay, the current status of the emergency regulations, a date by which the emergency regulations shall be adopted, and a statement of need to continue use of all-county letters or similar instructions. Under no circumstances shall the adoption of emergency regulations be delayed, or the use of all-county letters or similar instructions be extended, beyond June 30, 2006.

(2) The adoption of regulations implementing this section shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. The emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days by which time final regulations shall be adopted. The department shall seek input from the entities listed in Section 12305.72 when developing all-county letters or similar instructions and the regulations.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 229, Sec. 41. Effective August 16, 2004.)