AB 1876: Developmental services: individual program plans and individual family service plans: remote meetings.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers for the provision of community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Existing law, until June 30, 2024, requires a meeting regarding the provision of services and supports by the regional center, including a meeting to develop or revise a consumers individual program plan (IPP), to be held by remote electronic communications if requested by the consumer or, if appropriate, if requested by the consumers parents, legal guardian, conservator, or authorized representative.

Existing law, the California Early Intervention Services Act, provides a statewide system of coordinated, comprehensive, family-centered, multidisciplinary, and interagency programs that are responsible for providing appropriate early intervention services and supports to all eligible infants and toddlers and their families. Under the act, direct services for eligible infants and toddlers and their families are provided by regional centers and local educational agencies. The act requires an eligible infant or toddler receiving services under the act to have an individualized family service plan (IFSP), as specified. Existing law, until June 30, 2024, requires, at the request of the parent or legal guardian, an IFSP meeting to be held by remote electronic communications.

This bill, beginning January 1, 2025, would indefinitely extend the requirements that, if requested, IPP and IFSP meetings be held by remote electronic communications. By extending a requirement for local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.