Regional centers: purchase of consumer services.

Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is responsible for providing various services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities, and for ensuring the appropriateness and quality of those services and supports. Under existing law, the department contracts with the regional centers to provide services and supports to persons 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. Under existing law these services and supports may include transportation services. Existing law imposes various requirements relating to the funding of transportation services, at the time of the development, review, or modification of a consumer's individualized family service plan (IFSP) or IPP, including, but not limited to, the requirement that a regional center fund the least expensive transportation modality that meets the consumer's needs. This bill would, instead, require that a regional center fund the most cost-effective transportation modality that meets the consumer's needs and choice. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor to declare a fiscal emergency and to call the Legislature into special session for that purpose. The Governor issued a proclamation declaring a fiscal emergency, and calling a special session for this purpose, on December 19, 2008. This bill would state that it addresses the fiscal emergency declared by the Governor by proclamation issued on December 19, 2008, pursuant to the California Constitution. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.