Services for the developmentally disabled: regional centers.

Under existing law, the State Department of Developmental Services has jurisdiction over specified state hospitals that provide services to persons with developmental disabilities, also known as developmental centers. Existing law authorizes the department to operate any facility, provide its employees to assist in the operation of any facility, or provide other necessary services and support if, in the discretion of the department, it determines that the activity will assist in meeting the goal of the orderly closures of Agnews Developmental Center and Lanterman Developmental Center. Existing law authorizes the department to contract with any entity for the use of the department's employees to provide services in furtherance of the orderly closures of Agnews Developmental Center and Lanterman Developmental Center. Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the state to contract with appropriate agencies, including regional centers, to provide fixed points of contact in the community for persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to the end that these persons may have access to the services and support best suited to them throughout their lifetime. Existing law provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the network of regional centers for persons with developmental disabilities and their families be accessible to every family in need of regional center services and that the design and activities of regional centers reflect a strong commitment to the delivery of direct service coordination. This bill would require regional centers to ensure that any person or entity hired by, or contracted with, the regional center to provide services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities provide these services and support in a manner consistent with all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to developmental centers.