Developmental disabilities: competitive integrated employment ombudsperson.

Existing law requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to, among other responsibilities, form a standing Employment First Committee to identify strategies and recommend legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to increase integrated employment, as defined, self-employment, and microenterprises for persons with developmental disabilities, as specified. This bill would establish within the State Council on Developmental Disabilities the office of the Competitive Integrated Employment Ombudsperson. The bill would require the executive director of the council to appoint a qualified individual to serve as the ombudsperson and would specify the duties of the ombudsperson, including, among other things, the duty to serve as a resource regarding the rights and services available under the California Competitive Integrated Employment Blueprint, as defined. The bill would require the ombudsperson to submit an annual report to the Governor, the Director of Developmental Services, and the Employment First Committee of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, as specified. The bill would also specify that all communications received by the Competitive Integrated Employment Ombudsperson in the course of his or her duties are confidential. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.