The Arc-UCP’s Sponsored Bill AB 1906 Unanimously Passes its First Committee Hearing

Greg deGiere, Civil Rights Advocate, The Arc of California

AB 1906, authored by Assembly Member Mike Gipson, is aimed at eliminating the misleading terms “dependent adults,” “dependent persons,” and “dependent adult abuse” from the law codes, while leaving individuals free to use any terms they choose to describe themselves. It unanimously passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee and goes next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

We asked Assembly Member Gipson to amend the bill to have the Law Review Commission recommend to the Legislature the development of a detailed plan for making the terminology transition, including recommended replacement terms. The commission will be assisted by a work group, including disability community groups, individuals with developmental disabilities, and representatives from Disability Rights California (DRC).

This approach became necessary when DRC, at our request, reviewed the bill and found many unintended consequences, well beyond what the bill could be amended to remove.

We will continue to update you as this bill progresses through the legislative process. For any questions, please send an email to info@thearcca.org.