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By Jim Frazier, Director of Public Policy, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration
At the start of this year’s legislative session, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration partnered with our champions in the Legislature to introduce priority legislation that are intended to find solutions to some of the most daunting issues facing our community. Some of the issues impact every person with a disability in California, and some only a small group, but all of them are critically important. Here is a status on where these bills are in the legislative process as the legislature heads into summer recess on July 3:
AB 2397 (Maienschein) Special Needs Trust signed into law by the Governor Wednesday June 26
- Current law continues the parental duty to support an unmarried child who has attained 18 years of age, is a full-time high school student, and who is not self-supporting, until the time the child completes grade 12 or attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first. Current law provides that both parents have an equal responsibility to support their child in the manner suitable to the child’s circumstances. Current law authorizes the establishment of a special needs trust if a court makes specific determinations, including that the minor or person with a disability has a disability that substantially impairs the individual’s ability to provide for their own care. This bill would authorize a court to order that a support payment be paid to a special needs trust, as specified.
AB 2360 (Rendon) Family Wellness Program to be heard in Senate Human Services Committee Monday July 1:
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. This bill would require the department to establish a Family Wellness Pilot Program under which regional centers shall provide counseling and peer support group services to the families of regional center consumers, as specified. The bill would require the department to evaluate the program and submit a report on the evaluation to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2029.
AB 2383 (Carrillo) Darby’s Legacy to be heard in Senate Health Committee Wednesday July 3:
- This bill creates the necessary training protocols at birthing centers and Regional Centers to inform families waivers and pathways to care for their children that are born medically fragile. This bill was inspired by the life and legacy of Darby Jean who was born in August 2017 with Trisomy 13. There was little hope that she would be able to breath on her own when she was born. However, Darby surprised everyone by breathing on her own when she was born and continued to teach lessons of love, hope, compassion, and strength for the short 15 months that Darby got to spend with her family. If passed, this bill with implement a training requirement with an emphasis on family centered care – a welcomed and much needed resource for families.
Thank You for the support of all our Advocates for your letters, calls, and testimony on our sponsored legislation this session, your voices are being heard!!