SB-969 • 2026

Developmental services: remote services.

Budget Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Reyes
Last action: 2026-04-21
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effectiveness of remote service delivery in meeting individual needs remains to be seen, but this is not specified as a limitation or unknown in the provided sources.

Developmental Services: Remote Options

This law requires the State Department of Developmental Services to identify and implement a system that allows people with developmental disabilities and their families to choose remote services when available.

What This Bill Does

Requires the department to identify which services can be provided remotely by July 1, 2027.
Develops codes for billing remote services and provides guidance on how to authorize, bill, and document these services.
Informs people with developmental disabilities about their option to receive remote services if it is suitable for them.

Who It Names or Affects

People with developmental disabilities and their families
Regional centers providing services

Terms To Know

Remote Services: Services provided to people with developmental disabilities through technology, such as video calls or online platforms.
Subcodes: Special codes used for billing specific types of services, in this case, remote services.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much funding will be provided for these changes.
It is unclear what the final evaluation report on the pilot project will include or if it has been completed yet.

Bill History

2026-04-21 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2026-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 20.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 6). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HUMAN S.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 6.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HUMAN S.
2026-02-04 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 969, as amended, Reyes.
Developmental services: remote
services and supports.
services.
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. Existing law requires, subject to an appropriation, the department to develop a pilot project to test the feasibility of remote consumer services and supports that use technology solutions. Existing law requires the department to pilot remote services and supports based on certain factors. Existing law requires the department to submit to the Legislature a final evaluation report on the pilot project no later than January 10, 2026.
This bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2027, to identify services and supports eligible for remote delivery, develop the subcodes necessary
to facilitate the billing of remote services and supports, and provide to regional centers, and post on its internet website, updated guidance regarding the requirements for authorization, billing, and documentation of remote services and supports. The bill would require regional centers, upon receipt of the updated guidance, to inform consumers of the option to voluntarily choose remote service delivery of approved services and supports identified by the department.
The bill would require the department to develop a list of regional center services eligible for remote delivery. The bill would also require the department to develop, distribute, and post on its internet website, guidance to regional centers that includes a process for informing individuals and their families of the option to voluntarily receive remote services and requirements for service providers
offering remote services, including the processes for authorization, billing, and documentation. The bill would authorize an individual and their family to voluntarily elect to receive remote services, as available, if it is determined in the individual program plan meeting that remote delivery would effectively meet the needs of an individual receiving services identified by the department to be eligible for remote delivery.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF