AB 2636: Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act.

Existing law requires the California Department of Aging to administer the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act (act), which establishes various programs that serve older individuals, defined as persons 60 years of age or older, except as specified. The act requires the department to designate various private nonprofit or public agencies as area agencies on aging to work within a planning and service area and provide a broad array of social and nutritional services. Under the act, the departments mission is to provide leadership to those agencies in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments.

This bill would recast and revise various provisions of the act, including updating findings and declarations relating to statistics and issues of concern to the older adult population, and replacing references throughout the act from senior, senior and similar terminology to older adult. The bill would increase flexibility for area agencies on aging to develop and manage community-based program based on local need, as specified. The bill would repeal obsolete provisions, such as the Senior Center Bond Act of 1984.

Existing law requires the California Department of Aging to maintain a clearinghouse of information related to the interests and needs of older individuals and provide referral services, if appropriate. Existing law establishes the Senior Housing Information and Support Center within the deparment department to serve as a clearinghouse for information for seniors and their families regarding available innovative resources and senior services, subject to appropriation for these purposes.