Developmental services: caregiver succession.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Caregiver Succession for Developmental Services

This law requires regional centers to discuss caregiver succession when a primary caregiver turns 55 or at any time upon request, and ensures that the plan is documented in an individual program plan (IPP) while respecting the consumer's wishes.

What This Bill Does

• Requires regional centers to have discussions about caregiver succession when the main caregiver reaches age 55.
• Allows for these discussions to happen anytime if requested by the person getting services, their primary caregiver, or someone who speaks on their behalf.
• Mandates that any plan made from these discussions is written down in the individual program plan (IPP).
• Ensures that the consumer can say no to making a caregiver succession plan.
• Requires that all plans and discussions are centered around the person's needs, wishes, goals, and independence.

Who It Names or Affects

• People with developmental disabilities who receive services from regional centers.
• Primary caregivers of people receiving these services.
• Regional center staff involved in planning and providing services.

Terms To Know

Individual Program Plan (IPP)

A plan that outlines the specific services and supports a person with developmental disabilities will receive from regional centers.

Caregiver Succession

Planning for when one caregiver can no longer provide care, ensuring another caregiver is ready to take over.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if a consumer declines the discussion or plan.
• It's unclear how regional centers will implement these new requirements.

Official Summary Text

AB 2209, as introduced, Bains.
Developmental services: caregiver succession.
Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Under existing law, the regional centers purchase needed services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities through approved service providers, or arrange for their provision through other publicly funded agencies. The services and supports to be provided to a regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan (IPP), which is developed by the planning team according to specified procedures. Existing law requires the planning process for the IPP to include various components and guidelines, including, when a regional center consumer is being cared for by a parent, a discussion regarding caregiver
succession no later than the consumer’s 22nd birthday, and annually thereafter, and if determined to be necessary, development of a caregiver succession plan, as specified.
This bill would additionally require a discussion regarding caregiver succession to occur when the primary caregiver or authorized representatives reaches 55 years of age, and at any time upon the request of the consumer, primary caregiver, or authorized representative. The bill would require that any caregiver succession plan be documented in the consumer’s IPP. The bill would explicitly state that a consumer retains the right to decline development of a caregiver succession plan and a discussion regarding caregiver succession or a caregiver succession plan is required to be person centered and reflect the consumer’s wishes, goals, and maximum independence, and be consistent with supported decisionmaking principles, to the extent applicable.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF