California Disability Community Action Network
DISABILITY RIGHTS NEWS REPORT
Advocacy Without Borders: Connecting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Traumatic Brain & other injuries, People with MS & other health needs,  Families, Workers, Providers, & Organizations to Rights & Unified Action
Report #054-2007  April 25, 2007 Wednesday
To respond to this email, reply to: martyomoto@rcip.com   CDCAN website:  www.cdcan.us


California Legislature
* UPDATE ON BILLS IMPACTING DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
* IMPACTS REGIONAL CENTER FUNDED COMMUNITY SERVICES
* APRIL 27th DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR BILLS TO CONTINUE

SACRAMENTO - With a critical deadline (April 27)  fast approaching to pass bills out of Senate or Assembly policy committees in order to stay alive this year, several bills impacting developmental services - including community-based services and supports funded by the 21 non-profit regional centers overseen by the Department of Developmental Services. [see separate CDCAN reports focusing on bills on other issues, including In-Home Supportive Services, Medi-Cal, Health Reform, health facilities, education, etc or go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us  - watch for CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting that will focus on Regional Center funded community based services,  IHSS and supportive living services including problems with workers being paid on time, quality assurance, etc).  [NOTE: correction regarding action on AB 1184 by Assemblymember Lieber. Previous CDCAN report reported it was held in committee - the bill passed out Assembly Human Services and this report reflects that corrected action. Thanks to Assemblymember Lieber's office for letting us know]

Over 220,000 Children and Adults With Developmental Disabilities Served by Department
Nearly 220,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities receive community-based services funded by the 21 regional centers, with about 2,800 persons with developmental disabilities who reside in five developmental centers and 2 smaller facilities owned and operated by the State.  One of those centers - Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose, is slated for closure by June 30, 2008. The issue of transition, appropriate level of health care for those leaving Agnews, and an alternative housing plan put forward by families was the source of a sometimes tense and emotional hearing held by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on April 11. 

Community-based services and supports provided by community organizations and individuals and funded by the State through 21 non-profit regional centers is considered by advocates and many policy makers as a key part of a person's right to live in their own home and community.  Advocates believe those rights also mean other critical services and supports, including In-Home Supportive Services and other home care services, Medi-Cal, accessible housing and transportation, employment, accessible communities and  education.

SOME LEGISLATIVE & BUDGET DATES TO WATCH
APR 27 - Last day for policy committees in either house of the Legislature to hear and report bills out that have some level of possible impact on state funding ("fiscal impact") and requires a hearing in the Senate or Assembly Appropriations Committees. Any such bill not heard or reported out of policy committee by this deadline is considered a "two year bill" - meaning no further action can be taken until next year.
MAY 09 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services at 1:30 PM - likely hearing date to hear Department of Developmental Services budget issues impacting regional centers and developmental centers (Agnews Developmental Center closure and transition issues were heard on April 11 along with In-Home Supportive Service budget issues). See CDCAN Alert - go to CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us
MAY 11 - Deadline for policy committees in either house to hear and report out bills that have no impact on state funding.
MAY 14 - Governor scheduled to release revisions (called "May Revise") to his proposed budget for 2007-2008 that he submitted to the Legislature January 10. 
JUN 01 - Last day for Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committee to hear and report out bills (bills not reported out by this deadline are considered a "two year bill")
JUN 08 - Last day for Senate to pass Senate bills out to the Assembly.  Last day for Assembly to pass out Assembly bills out to the Senate.
JUN 15 - State Constitutional deadline to pass the State Budget (well...I thought I would list it anyway)
JUL 01 - Start of 2007-2008 State Budget Year 

SUMMARY OF BILLS IMPACTING DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
These are bills that had an action in either the State Senate or Assembly since January.  Not listed are bills that are part of other specific reports (for instance In-Home Supportive Services, or specific Medi-Cal or Senior/Aging bills).
A full report will be issued on these and other issues impacting people with disabilities, seniors, people with mental health needs,  traumatic brain and other injuries, people with MS and other health needs, their families, veterans with disabilities and mental health needs, workers, and other advocates and groups.  Go to CDCAN website for latest information at www.cdcan.us

AB 14  - DISCRIMINATION: CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 2007
AUTHOR: Assemblymember John Laird (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 04/12/07 amendments)
* Would update various non-discrimination state laws relating to government-funded programs and businessservices by adding protections against discrimination on the basis of disability, sexual orientation, marital status, etc.  In recent years, these protections have been clarified or added to the Unruh Civil Rights Act and Government Code section 11135.
* Would incorporate by reference the protected classes  of the Unruh Act and section 11135 into the other existing state anti-discrimination laws,including those covering regional centers. .
LATEST ACTIONS:
03/27/07 - Passed with amendments by vote of 7-3 out of Assembly Judiciary Committee with recommendation "Do pass as amended and refer to Assembly Appropriations Committee".
04/12/07 - Amendments approved on Assembly Floor and referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Assembly Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07.

AB 237 - MEDI-CAL: HIV DRUG TREATMENT - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R)
CDCAN SUMMARY  
Would increase, to an amount not to exceed $2,000,000,000, (from the current existing limit of $1,000,000,000) the annual appropriation from the State General Fund in the form of loans, and from the Federal Trust Fund to the Medical Providers Interim Payment Fund, which previous State law created for the purposes of paying Medi-Cal providers, providers of drug treatment services for persons infected with HIV, and providers of services for  persons with developmental disabilities, on or after July 1, and before September 1, of the State budget  year when a budget is not enacted or there is a shortfall (deficiency) in the Medi-Cal budget in any fiscal year. (Requires 2/3rds vote)
LATEST ACTION:
03/06/07 - Passed out of Assembly Health Committee by vote 12-0 with recommendation "Do Pass".
03/28/07 - In Assembly Appropriations Committee.  To "Suspense File".
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Assembly Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07.
CDCAN COMMENT:  This increases existing fund that keeps state money flowing to regional centers and other specified providers whenever a State budget is not passed on time, for two months. 
"Suspense File" allows a bill to be heard, but  is referred to a holding place - called a "suspense file". The leadership decides what happens to all bills on the "suspense file" and their decision is announced during hearings held in the Senate and Assembly during the week of the deadline to report bills out of Appropriation Committees.  Bills held in committee are technically still "alive" but cannot have any further action until next year (called a "two year bill"")-

AB 271  - ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: PUBLIC BENEFITS
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Paul Cook (R)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would declare the Legislature's intent to enact legislation that would prohibit any person who resides illegally in California from receiving the same benefits and privileges as a person who resides legally in this state and would require proof of citizenship to receive any form of state-funded benefits
LATEST ACTION:
02/09/07: Introduced in Assembly
NEXT STEP: Must be heard and reported out of a policy committee on or before 04/27/07 or no further action can be taken on this bill until next year.
CDCAN COMMENT: Chances for this bill are extremely remote.

AB 825  - PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
AUTHOR:Assemblymember Jim Silva (R)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would require a regional center or developmental center to disclose specified information and records to certain employees of a school district or county office of education, as provided, when disclosure is necessary for a regional center or state developmental center to perform its official duties under existing law.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/24/07 - Held in Assembly Human Services Committee.
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of committee on or before 04/27/07 or no further action can be taken on this bill this year (referred to as a "two year bill"). 
 
AB 1031 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES   
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Lloyd  Levine (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (reflects 04/10.07 amendments)
* Would establish the Lanterman Accessible and Affordable Housing Program to provide resources for grants to purchase residential property for community housing for persons with developmental disabilities.
* Would establish the Lanterman Accessible and Affordable Housing Fund and would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, authorize use of money in the fund by the department for these purposes.
* Would establish the Lanterman Accessible and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and would set forth its duties.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/24/07 - Passed with amendments out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation "Do pass as amended and refer to Assembly Appropriations"
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Assembly Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07

AB 1057 - ELECTRONIC PERSONAL RECORDS STRATEGIC PLAN
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Jim  Beall (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 04/1/07 amendments)
* Would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish an advisory committee on electronic personal records , with membership identified in this bill, to assist the agency in providing a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2009, recommending a strategic plan to enhance the development and implementation of electronic personal records. Implementation of the plan would be contingent upon enactment of subsequent statutory authorization.
*  Would establish procedures to be followed by the committee with respect to identifying members' potential conflicts of interest, to ensure the integrity of the committee's recommendations.
*  Would authorize the agency to receive various forms of funding to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of the bill.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/10/07 - Passed by vote of 11-4 out of Assembly Health Committee with recommendation "Do Pass and refer to Judiciary Committee"
04/18/07 - Amendments by author approved on Assembly Floor and returned to Assembly Judiciary Committee
04/24/07 - Passed with amendments out of Assembly Judiciary Committee with recommendation "Do Pass as amended and refer to Assembly Appropriations Committee"
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Assembly Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07.
     
AB 1128  - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION
AUTHOR:  Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to subsequently amend this bill to include provisions that would convene a Blue Ribbon Commission relating to the Lanterman Act to review and make recommendations to improve that act.
LATEST ACTION:
04/09/07: Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of committee on or before 04/27/07 or no further action can be taken on this bill until next year (referred to as a "two year bill")

AB 1184 - AGNEWS DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER ADVISORY TASK FORCE
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would require the Director of the Department on Developmental Services to establish an Agnews Developmental Center Transition Advisory Task Force consisting of family members of residents of Agnews Developmental Center for the purpose of monitoring community placements of people who have been transitioned, make recommendations to the department, the regional centers, and the Legislature.
ACTIONS:
04/24/07: Passed out of Assembly Human Services Committee [Correction: previous CDCAN Report reported it was held in committee].
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out of Assembly Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07 or no further action can be taken on this bill until next year.

AB 1192 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: CONSUMER ABUSE REGISTRY 
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Democrat)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would require providers to report evidence of abuse of persons with developmental disabilities who they provide services or supports, to the Department of Developmental Services.
* Would require the Department of Developmental Services to establish a registry of providers and others who have a substantiated history of abuse of persons with developmental disabilities, and to make the registry available to persons who would hire persons to provide services and supports to consumers.
LATEST ACTION:
04/24/07 - Passed out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation of "Do Pass".
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07

AB 1402 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES:  IPP APPEAL PROCEDURE INFORMATION
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY [does not reflect latest amendments]
Would require audio recordation of a person's Individual Program Plan (IPP)_ meeting upon request, and would require the Department of Developmental Services, regional centers, and vendors, to provide appeal procedure information on their respective Internet Web sites, including, but not limited to, a telephone number for the purpose of answering consumer and applicant questions about the appeals procedure.
LATEST ACTION:
04/24/07 - Passed with amendments out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation "Do pass as amended".
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07
     
AB 1410  - MEDI-CAL: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PILOT PROGRAM
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (as amended 04/24/07)
* Would require the Department of Health Care Services, by March 15, 2008, to submit to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a home- and community-based services waiver application to serve at least 100 adults with acquired traumatic brain injuries who otherwise would require care in a Medi-Cal funded facility including a nursing facility and an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities.
* Would require that services under the Medicaid waiver be provided by project sites providing services to adults with acquired traumatic brain injuries, as described in existing law, would expand the services that these projects would be permitted to provide, and would require that the state transfer to the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund amounts equal to any federal match reimbursements received for expenditures and costs paid from that fund.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/17/07 - Passed with amendments by vote of 12-4  out of Assembly Health Committee with recommendation "Do Pass as amended"
04/24/07 - Amendments approved on Assembly Floor. Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07

AB 1421  - DISASTER EVACUATION REGISTRY
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY
States the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to create a registry of California residents with special needs for evacuation purposes in the event of a disaster.
LATEST ACTION:
02/23/07 - Introduced in Assembly.
NEXT STEPS: Unless heard and reported out of policy committee on or before 04/27/07, no further action can be taken on this bill this year (called a "two year bill").

AB 1427 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: TRAINING PILOT PROJECT   
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (as amended 04/18/07)
* Would require the Department of Developmental Services, beginning on  January 1, 2008, to establish a developmental services training pilot program using the Quality Improvement Fund, which would be established by this bill, to incentivize, reimburse, and assess the use of recognized training resources for direct support workers in consumer-directed services.
* Would require the Department of Developmental Services  to, by January 2008, enter into a contract with the University of California, or other contractor, to assess the pilot program and report to the Legislature by April 1, 2010
* Would establish a Quality Improvement Review Board and would set forth its duties under the bill .
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/24/07 - Passed with amendments out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation "Do Pass as amended".
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07
CDCAN COMMENT: This bill is generating growing controversy among some community-based provider organizations and others . In a previous CDCAN Report on this bill, CDCAN reported that this bill might be a vehicle for legislation later similar to the workforce pilot project that was part of the original version of AB 649 (2004) by then Assemblymember Patricia Wiggins -  a later much more modest study version was vetoed by the Governor and last year's AB 2193 by Assemblymember Loni Hancock which died on the Assembly floor.  Dion Aroner, who works as a consultant on direct care support staff issues and is a former Assemblymember, said that AB 1427 was not a vehicle for workforce service centers or similar pilots and would call for a pilot that should be non controversial.

AB 1526  - HOUSING FOR ELDERLY & PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would change existing law that exempts from licensing requirements certain facilities for persons who are elderly or persons with disabilities by  exempting those facilities occupied by the elderly or persons with disabilities that are approved to be operated under federal law, from licensing requirements of community care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly and residential care facilities for persons with life threatening illness
* Would also exempt facilities that are approved or operated under provisions of the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
LATEST ACTIONS
04/10./07: Passed by vote of 7-0 out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation "Do Pass".
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07

AB 1687  - MENTAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Julia Brownley (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 04/16/07 amendments)
* Would require, if a service provider determines that the disclosure of information and records of a child with developmental disabilities or a child with mental health needs in the custodial care of the county is necessary to prevent serious harm to that child or others, information and records relating to the diagnosis, treatment, participation in counseling, and other information obtained in the course of providing services to that child to be disclosed to a county social worker, probation officer, or custodial caregiver.
* Would also provide that the disclosure of information and records under this bill  is not intended to limit the disclosure of information and records subject to a valid authorization or when disclosure is required by law, or prohibit an existing disclosure of information and records by a claim of privileged or confidential information when a court of competent jurisdiction orders a mental health examination or treatment.
LATEST ACTIONS
04/16/07 - Amendments approved on Assembly Floor.  Returned to Assembly Human Services Committee.
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported of committee on or before 04/2707 or no further action can be taken on this bill until next year (called a "two year bill").

AB 1704 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: EMPLOYMENT
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Doug  La Malfa (R)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 04/10/07 amendments)
*  Would require the Department of Developmental Services to include rates for community transition specialist services in current regulations.
* Existing law establishes the hourly rate for supported employment services, and authorizes payment of prescribed fees for consumers who are referred for vocational rehabilitation services, including, but not limited to, a $400 intake fee, an $800 placement fee, and an $800 retention fee.
* Would, instead make those fees applicable for individualized services and would establish other authorized fees applicable for group services. 
* Would authorize the Department of Developmental Services to adopt regulations to increase the percentage of job coaching services that may be provided to maximize the likelihood that a consumer will achieve stabilization and independence on the job.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/24/07 - Passed with amendments out of Assembly Human Services Committee with recommendation "Do Pass as amended".
NEXT STEPS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee. Must be heard and reported out by 06/01/07
CDCAN COMMENT: This bill previously was about In-Home Supportive Services but was amended to deal with developmental services. 

SB 137  - CHILDREN'S HEALTH: MEDICAL TREATMENT
AUTHOR: Sen. Tom Torlakson (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 03/10/07 amendments):
Would change the eligibility limitation of annual adjusted gross income of $40,000 or less to persons in a family with an annual or monthly income equal to or less than 400% of the federal poverty level for services under the Robert W. California Children's Services Act
LATEST INFORMATION:
03/14/07 - Passed by vote of 7-4 out of Senate Health Committee with recommendation "Do Pass as amended"
03/21/07 - Amendments approved on Senate Floor and referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.
04/16/07 - In Senate Appropriations Committee: To "Suspense File".
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Senate Appropriations on or before 06/01/07
CDCAN COMMENT: "Suspense File" allows a bill to be heard, but  is referred to a holding place - called a "suspense file". The leadership decides what happens to all bills on the "suspense file" and their decision is announced during hearings held in the Senate and Assembly during the week of the deadline to report bills out of Appropriation Committees.  Bills held in committee are technically still "alive" but cannot have any further action until next year (called a "two year bill"")-

SB 446 - MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
AUTHOR: Sen. Leland Yee (Democrat -
CDCAN SUMMARY
* Would require the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to administer a program providing grants on a competitive basis to qualifying micro enterprise development providers for capacity building projects, and to the extent funds are appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
* Would require the Agency, subject to the availability of funds for that purpose, to contract with a nonprofit intermediary for certain services relating to the grant program.
LATEST ACTIONS
04/24/07 - Passed by vote of 5-2 out of Senate Business, Profession and Economic Development Committee with recommendation "Do Pass but first be re-referred to Appropriations Committee"
NEXT STEPS: Must be heard and reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07
CDCAN COMMENT: This bill doesn't specifically focus on persons with disabilities or seniors, but regional center funded community-based advocates and others are hoping to have the bill amended to specifically including persons with disabilities. 

SB 527 - AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: SCREENING
AUTHOR: Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY
* Would require the Department of Developmental Services, no later than January 1, 2009, to implement its guidelines for the screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders for children enrolled in the Early Start program.
* Would require any physician who treats patients who are children to routinely evaluate any patient who is 5 years of age or younger for behaviors resembling those identified as autism spectrum disorders, and to provide parents and legal guardians with certain information relating to cognitive impairments, including, autistic spectrum disorders, and local regional centers or other organizations that provide screening and related services for children with autistic spectrum disorders.
04/25/07 - Set for hearing 04/25/07 at 1:30 PM in Senate Health Committee. 
NEXT STEPS: Needs to reported out of Senate Health Committee on or before 04/27/07. If it is passed out of that committee, it then needs to be heard and reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07.
    
SB 623  - MEDI-CAL & MEDICARE DRUG CO-PAYMENTS
AUTHOR: Sen. Patricia  Wiggins (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY (Reflects 04/23/07 amendments)
* Would provide that, beginning January 1, 2008, the Department of Health Care Services shall pay all copayments required by drug plans under the Medicare Program for generic or brand name medications for persons who dually eligible for full Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits, under certain conditions in the bill.
* Would require the Department of Health Care Services  to develop a process for the reimbursement of Medi-Cal enrolled pharmacies for the cost of the copayments, unless specified conditions are met.
* Would require that a pharmacists's claim for reimbursement under the bill submitted under penalty of perjury, thereby expanding the definition of an existing crime, thus creating a state-mandated local program.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/11/07 - Passed with amendments by vote of 7-3 out of Senate Health Committee with recommendation "Do pass as amended"
04/23/07 - Amendments approved on Senate Floor. Re-referred to Senate Rules Committee.
NEXT STEPS: Needs to be heard and reported out of Senate Appropriations Committee on or before 06/01/07

SB 725  - AGNEWS DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER: OUTPATIENT CLINIC
AUTHOR: Sen. Elaine Alquist (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would state the intent of the Legislature to subsequently amend this bill to include provisions that would:
(1) enhance opportunities, at the Agnews Developmental Center outpatient clinic for clinicians in the South Bay, Peninsula, and East Bay communities to receive training to make services for adults with developmental disabilities more effective;
(2) to ensure that specialized health and dental services currently available through the outpatient clinic continue to be provided as a regional resource to consumers served by all regional centers;
(3) to ensure continued operation of the outpatient clinic at Agnews Developmental Center until July 1, 2012, notwithstanding the closure of Agnews Developmental Center; and
(4) to ensure the orderly transition of those services if the outpatient clinic is unable to continue its licensure at the present location.
LATEST ACTIONS:
04/17/07 - Amendments approved on Senate Floor and returned to Senate Health Committee.
NEXT STEPS: .Set for hearing 05/09/07 at 1:30  PM State Capitol - Senate Health Committee.

SB 1027  - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
AUTHOR: Sen. Elaine Alquist (D)
CDCAN SUMMARY
Would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to one of these provisions (this is a "spot bill" - with later language that supposed to come to add detail. Its called a spot bill because it is holding a place or a spot for the real bill. 
LATEST ACTIONS:
03/15/07 -  Referred to Senate Rules Committee.
NEXT STEPS:  Unless heard and reported out of policy committee on or before 04/27/07, no further action can be taken on this bill this year (called a "two year bill").


    
Contributions URGENTLY Needed To Continue
The California Disability Community Action Network is a non-partisan link to tens of thousands of Californians in every community, including people of color, people of every type of disability, including people with physical disabilities, people with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and other injures, people with mental health needs, seniors, people with MS, Alzheimer's and others, and all of their families, community organizations and providers, direct care and other workers, and other advocates. These action alerts and news reports, townhall telemeetings and other projects is for all of them.

To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports.  sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN "Advocacy WIthout Borders Townhall Telemeetings" which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):

CDCAN 
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
or go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us and click on "DONATE TO CDCAN" to contribute using credit card via Paypal.
 

The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD. 

MANY THANKS to Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, Parents Helping Parents, Arriba, Strategies To Empower People, Parents Helping Parents, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, and hundreds of individuals.