Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not specify an effective date, only the deadline of December 31, 2027 for the registry creation.
AB-617: Licensing for Developmental Services Caregivers and Respite Referrals
This law requires organizations providing personal care or respite to people with developmental disabilities under the Lanterman Act to be licensed, registers their workers, and creates a statewide system by December 31, 2027, to help Medi-Cal consumers find respite providers.
What This Bill Does
- Requires organizations contracted through regional centers or the Department of Developmental Services to provide personal care or in-home respite services under the Lanterman Act to be licensed as home care organizations.
- Mandates that individuals employed by these organizations must be listed on the state home care aide registry before providing services.
- Requires the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Advisory Committee to use staff from the California Department of Aging.
- Reaffirms that the No Wrong Door System must serve seniors and individuals with disabilities as specified in existing law.
- Orders the creation of a statewide respite referral registry by December 31, 2027, for consumers enrolled in Medi-Cal to connect them with prescreened providers.
Who It Names or Affects
- Organizations contracted through regional centers or the Department of Developmental Services to provide personal care or respite services under the Lanterman Act.
- Individuals employed as home care aides within these organizations.
- Consumers with developmental disabilities who receive services under the Lanterman Act.
- Seniors and individuals with disabilities enrolled in Medi-Cal seeking respite providers.
Terms To Know
- Lanterman Act
- The state law requiring regional centers to provide services and supports, including personal care and respite, to people with developmental disabilities.
- No Wrong Door System
- A system enabling consumers to access all long-term services and support programs through one agency or portal.
- Respite Services
- Temporary care provided to a person with disabilities, allowing their regular caregivers time off.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill states that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies regarding these new mandates.
- The specific details of the consumer-directed employer program are not fully described in this summary text.
- The exact effective date for when these rules begin is not listed in the provided metadata.