Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services (department) to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth, as defined, require regional centers to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance, as specified. The bill would prohibit the case conference requirement from resulting in any delay to the child welfare involved childs or youths right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination. The bill would require the department and the State Department of Social Services to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement by March 31, 2027. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as specified. The bill, commencing January 31, 2028, would require the department to annually post on its internet website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services (department) to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth, as defined, require regional centers to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance, as specified. The bill would prohibit the case conference requirement from resulting in any delay to the child welfare involved childs or youths right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination. The bill would require the department and the State Department of Social Services to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement by March 31, 2027. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as specified. The bill, commencing January 31, 2028, would require the department to annually post on its internet website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services (department) to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth, as defined, require regional centers to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance, as specified. The bill would prohibit the case conference requirement from resulting in any delay to the child welfare involved childs or youths right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination. The bill would require the department and the State Department of Social Services to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement by March 31, 2027. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as specified. The bill, commencing January 31, 2028, would require the department to annually post on its internet website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services (department) to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a foster child, child welfare involved child or youth, as defined, if the regional center has not determined, within the 15-day period following a request for assistance, that the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services, instead require the regional center to refer the foster child for, and conduct, that additional assessment. require regional centers to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance, as specified. The bill would prohibit the case conference requirement from resulting in any delay to the child welfare involved childs or youths right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination. The bill would require the department and the State Department of Social Services to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement by March 31, 2027. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on either the lack of specified documentation or the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as specified. The bill bill, commencing January 31, 2028, would require the department to annually post on its internet website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, and the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by a regional center. the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program.

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 persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a foster child, as defined, if the regional center has not determined, within the 15-day period following a request for assistance, that the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services, instead require the regional center to refer the foster child for, and conduct, that additional assessment. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on either the lack of specified documentation. documentation or the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as specified. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature that includes annually post on its internet website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, and the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by a regional center. The bill would repeal that reporting requirement on January 1, 2030.

Existing law, if assessment is needed, requires that the assessment be performed within 120 days following initial intake or as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk, as specified.

This bill would also require the assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days if the client is a foster child. The bill would require the assessment to be conducted and an eligibility determination to be made within the applicable timelines irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses specified documentation. The bill would require the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring that documentation in order to ensure that assessment is conducted as soon as possible.

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 persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Under existing law, a person believed to have a developmental disability, and a person believed to have a high risk of parenting an infant with a developmental disability, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. Existing law requires that initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance. Existing law, commencing January 1, 2025, requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed.

This bill would, for initial intakes involving a foster child, as defined, if the regional center has not determined, within the 15-day period following a request for assistance, that the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services, instead require the regional center to refer the foster child for, and conduct, that additional assessment. The bill would prohibit a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the lack of specified documentation. The bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature that includes specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, and the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by a regional center. The bill would repeal that reporting requirement on January 1, 2030.

Existing law, if assessment is needed, requires that the assessment be performed within 120 days following initial intake or as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk, as specified.

This bill would also require the assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days if the client is a foster child. The bill would require the assessment to be conducted and an eligibility determination to be made within the applicable timelines irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses specified documentation. The bill would require the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring that documentation in order to ensure that assessment is conducted as soon as possible.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 1099

Author:(Bryan)

As Enrolled Ver:September 4, 2026

2/3 vote

SUMMARY

Revises the existing requirements for initial intake and assessments at regional centers for persons believed to have a developmental disability.

Senate Amendments:

Made clarifying changes and address technical assistance provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) as follows:

1. Reduced the proposed scope of annual statewide data posted to DDS' website, require the public reporting requirements to be developed in consultation with community and representative organizations, and delay implementation until January 1, 2028.
2. Struck the requirement that a regional center must conduct an assessment within 60 days if an initial intake involves a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period.
3. Struck that a lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person's parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative shall not solely determine a decision not to provide an assessment.
4. Required a regional center, for an initial intake involving a child welfare involved child or youth, to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance to include the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person's parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative.
5. Required the case conference to clarify the consents, legal and judicial determinations, and documentation required, whether any of the circumstances necessitating an expedited assessment are present, and review the roles and requirements of each party based on the person-centered needs of the child welfare involved child or youth.
6. Specified that the case conference requirement shall not result in any delay to the child welfare involved child's or youth's right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination.
7. Required DDS and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), by March 31, 2027, to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement.
8. Required a regional center, for a child welfare involved child or youth, when there is a lack of documentation provided, to work with the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person's parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative to facilitate obtaining appropriate consents to release information and conduct necessary assessments, identify the sources and location of documents, and coordinate access to needed documentation, or directly procure other records which may be available and accessible and within the regional center's authority. Specified documentation may include, but is not limited to, school, medical, or court records.
9. Required DDS to consult with CDSS and other Children and Youth System of Care partners and other community and representative organizations, as applicable, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes, roles, and responsibilities for child welfare involved child or youth.
10. Provided that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information and consents for assessments.

Governor's Veto Message

This bill requires that any child or youth in foster care referred for regional center services receive a case conference within an initial 15-day period and requires regional centers to complete a full assessment and eligibility determination within 60 days.

While I share the author's goal to ensure all children and youth in foster care receive timely access to the support and services they need, this bill would create significant, ongoing General Fund cost pressures to fund local assistance costs annually. Additionally, the Department of Developmental Services is already actively working to modernize and standardize intake procedures to ensure timely access to care for all Californians across the 21 regional centers pursuant to SB 138 (Chapter 192, Statutes of 2023).

In partnership with the Legislature this year, my administration has enacted a balanced budget that recognizes the challenging fiscal landscape our state faces while maintaining our commitment to working families and our most vulnerable communities. With significant fiscal pressures and the federal government's hostile economic policies, it is vital that we remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

COMMENTS

Background: Initial Intake and Assessment Process. Regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. However, prior to becoming a consumer, an individual must go through the intake process. Any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of becoming the parent of a developmentally disabled infant, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services. To start the intake process, regional centers require an application and request any applicable documentation that might help determine the child's developmental needs. The intake also includes an interview with a regional center coordinator. Following the initial intake, the regional center determines if an assessment is appropriate. If a regional center makes the decision not to provide an assessment, they must properly notify the individual, parent, or authorized representative so they are aware of the option to appeal the regional center's decision through the fair hearing process. Current law requires a decision to be made within 15 days.

After the intake, the regional center may conduct an assessment to determine regional center eligibility. The assessment includes intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, and other specialized tests. Regional centers are authorized to ask for supporting documents such as available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels.

This assessment is required to be performed within 120 days following the intake. In limited instances, regional centers are required to conduct the assessment within 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. This timeline is made conditional upon the recipient of the release of information for tests performed by other professionals such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.

A person is considered eligible for services if they have a disability that began before the individual's 18th birthday, which is expected to continue indefinitely, and present a substantial disability. Qualifying conditions include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

Following eligibility determination, the regional center and the consumer come up with an Individual Program Plan (IPP). IPP meetings are designed to help people with developmental disabilities outline in a person-centered manner a "preferred future" by identifying a preferred place to live, favorite people with whom to socialize, and preferred types of daily activities, including preferred jobs. After an IPP is decided upon, the consumer may begin services. Some of the services and supports provided by the regional centers include:

1. Information and referral;
2. Assessment and diagnosis;
3. Counseling;
4. Lifelong individualized planning and service coordination;
5. Purchase of necessary services included in the IPP;
6. Resource development;
7. Outreach;
8. Assistance in finding and using community and other resources;
9. Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil, and service rights;
10. Early intervention services for at risk infants and their families;
11. Genetic counseling;
12. Family support;
13. Planning, placement, and monitoring for 24-hour out-of-home care;
14. Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families; and,
15. Community education about developmental disabilities.

Foster Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). California does not track how many foster youth have I/DD so it is difficult to pinpoint how many foster youth are impacted by an I/DD. Advocates report that anywhere from 30-80% of foster youth have developmental delay. A 2019 study found that children with I/DD were more likely to experience abuse. According to the study, "Children with [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only were between two and three times more likely to experience maltreatment. All groups were more likely to experience physical neglect, and children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only groups were more likely to experience all forms of abuse. Children in the autism spectrum disorder-only group were more likely to experience physical abuse. Maltreated children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] only groups experienced more cases of physical abuse and neglect, and were victimized by more perpetrators compared to other maltreated youth. Maltreatment was associated with higher likelihood of aggression, hyperactivity, and tantrums for children with autism spectrum disorder." (McDonnell, et. al, 2019: Child maltreatment in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: results from a population-based sample. J Child Psychol Psychiatry.)

The delivery of care to foster youth with I/DD is challenging for several reasons, including difficulty finding placements due to the coordination of services and therapy. Additionally, advocates report there is a delay in assessment, which then delays services and further complicates placements. If a foster youth does not have a stable placement and they are still pending an assessment from a regional center and move to another regional center, then they have to restart the intake.

According to the Author

"For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state's regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center's overly burdensome application process. [This bill] removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth. [This bill] will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability, and support family reunification for system-involved families."

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 13, 2026:

1. Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
2. Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

VOTES

ASM HUMAN SERVICES: 7-0-0

YES: Lee, Castillo, Calderon, Elhawary, Jackson, Celeste Rodriguez, Tangipa

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Hart, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0-0

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0-0

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

UPDATED

VERSION: September 4, 2026

CONSULTANT: Alexandria Smith / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0004627

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1099

Author:(Bryan)

As Amended Ver:August 27, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Revises the existing requirements for initial intake and assessments at regional centers for persons believed to have a developmental disability.

Senate Amendments

Make clarifying changes and address technical assistance provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) as follows:

1. Reduce the proposed scope of annual statewide data posted to DDS' website, require the public reporting requirements to be developed in consultation with community and representative organizations, and delay implementation until January 1, 2028.
2. Strike the requirement that a regional center must conduct an assessment within 60 days if an initial intake involves a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period.
3. Strike that a lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative shall not solely determine a decision not to provide an assessment.
4. Require a regional center, for an initial intake involving a child welfare involved child or youth, to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance to include the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative.
5. Require the case conference to clarify the consents, legal and judicial determinations, and documentation required, whether any of the circumstances necessitating an expedited assessment are present, and review the roles and requirements of each party based on the person-centered needs of the child welfare involved child or youth.
6. Specify that the case conference requirement shall not result in any delay to the child welfare involved child's or youth's right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination.
7. Require DDS and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), by March 31, 2027, to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement.
8. Require a regional center, for a child welfare involved child or youth, when there is a lack of documentation provided, to work with the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person's parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative to facilitate obtaining appropriate consents to release information and conduct necessary assessments, identify the sources and location of documents, and coordinate access to needed documentation, or directly procure other records which may be available and accessible and within the regional center's authority. Specifies documentation may include, but is not limited to, school, medical, or court records.
9. Require DDS to consult with CDSS and other Children and Youth System of Care partners and other community and representative organizations, as applicable, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes, roles, and responsibilities for child welfare involved child or youth.
10. Provide that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information and consents for assessments.

COMMENTS

Background: Initial Intake and Assessment Process. Regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. However, prior to becoming a consumer, an individual must go through the intake process. Any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of becoming the parent of a developmentally disabled infant, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services. To start the intake process, regional centers require an application and request any applicable documentation that might help determine the child's developmental needs. The intake also includes an interview with a regional center coordinator. Following the initial intake, the regional center determines if an assessment is appropriate. If a regional center makes the decision not to provide an assessment, they must properly notify the individual, parent, or authorized representative so they are aware of the option to appeal the regional center's decision through the fair hearing process. Current law requires a decision to be made within 15 days.

After the intake, the regional center may conduct an assessment to determine regional center eligibility. The assessment includes intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, and other specialized tests. Regional centers are authorized to ask for supporting documents such as available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels.

This assessment is required to be performed within 120 days following the intake. In limited instances, regional centers are required to conduct the assessment within 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. This timeline is made conditional upon the recipient of the release of information for tests performed by other professionals such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.

A person is considered eligible for services if they have a disability that began before the individual's 18th birthday, which is expected to continue indefinitely, and present a substantial disability. Qualifying conditions include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

Following eligibility determination, the regional center and the consumer come up with an Individual Program Plan (IPP). IPP meetings are designed to help people with developmental disabilities outline in a person-centered manner a "preferred future" by identifying a preferred place to live, favorite people with whom to socialize, and preferred types of daily activities, including preferred jobs. After an IPP is decided upon, the consumer may begin services. Some of the services and supports provided by the regional centers include:

1. Information and referral;
2. Assessment and diagnosis;
3. Counseling;
4. Lifelong individualized planning and service coordination;
5. Purchase of necessary services included in the IPP;
6. Resource development;
7. Outreach;
8. Assistance in finding and using community and other resources;
9. Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil, and service rights;
10. Early intervention services for at risk infants and their families;
11. Genetic counseling;
12. Family support;
13. Planning, placement, and monitoring for 24-hour out-of-home care;
14. Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families; and,
15. Community education about developmental disabilities.

Foster Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). California does not track how many foster youth have I/DD so it is difficult to pinpoint how many foster youth are impacted by an I/DD. Advocates report that anywhere from 30-80% of foster youth have developmental delay. A 2019 study found that children with I/DD were more likely to experience abuse. According to the study, "Children with [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only were between two and three times more likely to experience maltreatment. All groups were more likely to experience physical neglect, and children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only groups were more likely to experience all forms of abuse. Children in the autism spectrum disorder-only group were more likely to experience physical abuse. Maltreated children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] only groups experienced more cases of physical abuse and neglect, and were victimized by more perpetrators compared to other maltreated youth. Maltreatment was associated with higher likelihood of aggression, hyperactivity, and tantrums for children with autism spectrum disorder." (McDonnell, et. al, 2019: Child maltreatment in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: results from a population-based sample. J Child Psychol Psychiatry.)

The delivery of care to foster youth with I/DD is challenging for several reasons, including difficulty finding placements due to the coordination of services and therapy. Additionally, advocates report there is a delay in assessment, which then delays services and further complicates placements. If a foster youth does not have a stable placement and they are still pending an assessment from a regional center and move to another regional center, then they have to restart the intake.

According to the Author

"For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state's regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center's overly burdensome application process. [This bill] removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth. [This bill] will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability, and support family reunification for system-involved families."

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 13, 2026:

1. Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
2. Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

VOTES:

ASM HUMAN SERVICES: 7-0-0

YES: Lee, Castillo, Calderon, Elhawary, Jackson, Celeste Rodriguez, Tangipa

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Hart, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0-0

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

UPDATED

VERSION: August 27, 2026

CONSULTANT: Alexandria Smith / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0004424

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 1099

Author: Bryan (D)

Amended: 8/27/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/30/25

AYES: Arreguín, Ochoa Bogh, Becker, Limón, Pérez

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/13/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Developmental services: initial intake

SOURCE: Children’s Law Center of California

Disability Rights California

Public Counsel

DIGEST:

This bill (1) requires a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following an initial request for assistance for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth; (2) prohibits a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition; and (3) requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website specified data related to initial intakes and assessment and eligibility determinations.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/27/26 strike Section 1 related to dissemination of juvenile case files.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/21/26 make clarifying changes regarding interagency coordination.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), which states that California is responsible for providing a range of services and supports sufficiently complete to meet the needs and choices of each person with developmental disabilities, regardless of age or degree of disability, and at each stage of life, and to support their integration into the mainstream life of the community. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC) §4500 et seq.)
2. Establishes a system of nonprofit regional centers, overseen by DDS, to provide fixed points of contact in the community for all persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to coordinate services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime. (WIC §4620)
3. Defines “developmental disability” to mean a disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of DDS, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides that this term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Provides that this term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. (WIC §4512(a))
4. Makes any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant, eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. In addition, provides that any infant having a high risk, as defined, of becoming developmentally disabled may be eligible for intake and assessment services in the regional centers. (WIC §4642(a)(1))
5. Requires initial intake to be performed within 15 working days following request for assistance. Requires initial intake to include, but not be limited to, information and advice about the nature and availability of services provided by the regional center and by other agencies in the community, including guardianship, conservatorship, income maintenance, mental health, housing, education, work activity and vocational training, medical, dental, recreational, and other services or programs that may be useful to persons with developmental disabilities or their families. Requires intake to also include a decision to provide assessment. (WIC §4642(a)(2))
6. Requires, commencing on January 1, 2025, the regional center to take the following actions by the end of the 15-day initial intake period:
   1. Either of the following actions:
      1. Determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services.
      2. Determine if the regional center will initiate the assessment specified in (7) below.
   2. Inform the individual requesting intake of the regional center’s action.
   3. If the regional center determines that the individual is not eligible for regional center services, or that the regional center is not initiating the assessment specified in (7) below, provide the individual requesting intake and, if appropriate, the individuals’ parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, with adequate notice, as specified. (WIC §4642(a)(3))
7. Requires, if assessment is needed, the assessment to be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Requires assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information specified in (8) below. (WIC §4643(a))
8. Authorizes the regional center, in determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability, the regional center may consider evaluations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations that have been performed by, and are available from, other sources. (WIC §4643(b))
9. Requires at the time of assessment, the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator, to provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, prohibits the regional center from using that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center. (WIC 4643(c))

This bill:

1. Requires initial intake to include a decision to provide an eligibility assessment.
2. Prohibits a decision not to provide assessment from being based solely on the age of the person when they received diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age.
3. Requires a regional center, for an initial intake involving a child welfare involved child or youth, to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance to include the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative.
4. Requires the case conference to clarify the consents, legal and judicial determinations, and documentation required, whether any of the circumstances necessitating an expedited assessment are present, and review the roles and requirements of each party based on the person-centered needs of the child welfare involved child or youth.
5. Specifies the case conference requirement shall not result in any delay to the child welfare involved child’s or youth’s right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination.
6. Requires DDS and the California Department of Social Services, by March 31, 2027, to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement.
7. Requires a regional center, for a child welfare involved child or youth, when there is a lack of documentation provided, to work with the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative to facilitate obtaining appropriate consents to release information and conduct necessary assessments, identify the sources and location of documents, and coordinate access to needed documentation, or directly procure other records which may be available and accessible and within the regional center’s authority. Specifies documentation may include, but is not limited to, school, medical, or court records.
8. Requires DDS to consult with the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners and other community and representative organizations, as applicable, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes, roles, and responsibilities for child welfare involved child or youth.
9. Requires DDS, by January 30, 2027, to consult with the California Department of Social Services and obtain input from tribes, individuals with lived experience, and child welfare stakeholders to ensure consideration of child welfare involved children or youth in the development of the standardized intake processes, including, but not limited to, circumstances for which expedited intake processes would be required.
10. Requires a regional center to determine if the individual is provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-day initial intake period.
11. Defines the following terms for purposes of this bill:
    1. “Child welfare involved child or youth” means any of the following:
       1. A child who has been removed from their home by a county child welfare services agency.
       2. A child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition, as specified, whether or not the child has been removed from their home.
       3. A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law.
       4. A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement.
       5. A nonminor dependent.
    2. “Request for assistance” means any inquiry from an individual, or a person acting on their behalf, on the individual’s possible eligibility to receive services or supports available or provided by the regional center based on a potential developmental concern or disability.
12. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information and consents for assessments.
13. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
14. Requires regional centers to report any additional data metrics developed pursuant to this bill. Requires DDS to annually post on its internet website annual statewide intake data collected, by regional center and on a statewide-aggregate basis, inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth pursuant to this bill.
15. Requires DDS, commencing January 31, 2028, to annually post on its internet website statewide intake data pursuant to these provisions, to the extent allowed by current data systems, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregate basis inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth.
16. Requires the public reporting requirements to be developed in consultation with the community and representative organizations, including the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners, as applicable. Requires the public reporting requirements to include, but not be limited to, the number of intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program, disaggregated by demographic groups, including age, geography, and race.
17. Provides that the extent and specificity of the required data reporting under this bill shall keep pace with the capacity of DDS’ data systems as they evolve.

Background

Purpose of the Bill. According to the author, “For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption, and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. AB 1099 removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control.”

Child Welfare Services. The child welfare services system is an essential component of the state’s safety net. When a report of abuse or neglect is substantiated, a family is either provided with services to ensure the child’s well-being and avoid court involvement, or the child is removed and placed into foster care. After the county child welfare department becomes involved with families, approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who are able to remain safely in their home while the family receives services. This is considered family preservation services and the child does not come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile dependency court during this time. If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services, the child comes under the jurisdiction of the county’s juvenile dependency court while the family is served by a child welfare services system social worker.

Studies have shown that while the child welfare system tends to err on the side of removal, removal itself can cause irreparable harm. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, removal from parents can disrupt a child’s brain architecture and negatively impact their health. The research goes on to note that not only are there psychological traumas at the time of removal; those can occur long after reunification. These children can experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and developmental delays.

Lanterman Act. In 1969, the Lanterman Act established that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to receive the necessary supports and services required to live independently in the community. The Lanterman Act enumerates the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the rights of their families, what services and supports are available to these individuals, and how regional centers and service providers work together to provide these supports and services. The term “developmental disability” is defined as a disability that originates before a person reaches 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant disability for the individual; such disabilities include, among others: epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. As there are no income-related eligibility criteria, Lanterman Act services are considered an entitlement program. The Department of Finance estimates that approximately 487,114 individuals will receive developmental services in 2025–26, increasing to 526,848 in 2026–27.

Regional Centers. Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS and a statewide network of 21 regional centers, which are private, community-based nonprofit entities that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. Regional center services may include diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and care coordination of services such as personal care, day care, special living arrangements, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Regional center services are not consistent across the state. One often-cited strength of the regional center system is each regional center’s local control and flexibility, while one challenge is the system’s lack of uniformity.

Two-Step Eligibility Process. State law establishes a two-step process to determine whether an individual is eligible for regional center services. The first step is the initial 15-day intake period, where the individual with a suspected diagnosis first gets in touch with a regional center. Regional centers are required to provide information and advice about services provided by the regional center and other community agencies. Regional centers are also required to make a decision on whether they will provide assessment of the individual requesting services. If the regional center determines the individual is not eligible for regional center services, it must provide a notice of action regarding the denial.

If a regional center decides to move on to assessment, the second of the two-step eligibility process, it must perform an assessment within 120 days following the initial intake. For more vulnerable individuals at risk of harm to their health and safety or further developmental delays, or individuals at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment, the regional center must perform an assessment within 60 days following the initial intake. All assessments may utilize available data and information, including medical evaluations, contingent upon release of such information.

Comments

The two-step intake and eligibility determination process disproportionately impacts foster children, who often do not have a formal medical diagnosis readily available and who experience frequent placement changes across city and county lines. According to the sponsors of this bill, it can take many months, or even years, to get an assessment, and even longer to establish eligibility, simply based on their status as a foster child. These delays commonly lead to placement instability and increased risk of institutionalization.

This bill seeks to ensure children in the foster care system receive a timely assessment for regional center services by requiring a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth. This bill also requires DDS and the California Department of Social Services, in consultation with other community organizations, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes for child welfare involved children or youth. This bill seeks to streamline and expedite the delivery of regional center services for children with an eligible diagnosis. Access to these services and supports can provide stability to both the foster child and caregivers.

[Note: See the Senate Human Services Committee analysis for additional background on this bill.]

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 1220 (Arambula) would have required DDS to compile and report data on denials of services and required a regional center to document in each consumer’s individual program plan all of the consumer’s denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

AB 1208 (Addis) would have required DDS, by July 1, 2026, to review and assess all established and pending regional center and vendored service provider quality, performance and outcome measures, and required DDS to consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a uniform set of measures, a mechanism to track measures over time, and performance indicators and benchmarks for regional centers. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

SB 138 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 192, Statutes of 2023), a budget trailer bill, among other things, required DDS to establish a standardized intake process for individuals to learn if they are eligible for regional center services, and required regional centers to report how many individuals went through the intake process and how long the process took.

AB 2083 (Cooley, Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018) required each county to develop an MOU to describe the roles and responsibilities of certain entities that serve foster youth who have experienced severe trauma and instructs the secretary of CalHHS and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to implement and review aspects of the MOUs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/26)

Children’s Law Center of California (co-source)

Disability Rights California (co-source)

Public Counsel (co-source)

All of US or None Orange County

Alliance for Children's Rights

California Alliance for Retired Americans

California Alliance of Caregivers

Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Dependency Legal Services

Disability Voices United

East Bay Children's Law Offices

Easterseals Northern California

Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone

Hand in Hand: the Domestic Employers Network

John Burton Advocates for Youth

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Public Law Center

SCDD

Special Needs Network, INC.

Starting Over INC.

Starting Over Strong

Sycamores

The Arc California

Western Center on Law & Poverty, INC.

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/27/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

Prepared by: Diana Dominguez / Human Services / (916) 651-1524

8/28/26 11:28:48

**** END ****

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 1099

Author: Bryan (D)

Amended: 8/21/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/30/25

AYES: Arreguín, Ochoa Bogh, Becker, Limón, Pérez

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/13/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Developmental services: initial intake

SOURCE: Children’s Law Center of California

Disability Rights California

Public Counsel

DIGEST:

This bill (1) requires a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following an initial request for assistance for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth; (2) prohibits a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition; and (3) requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website specified data related to initial intakes and assessment and eligibility determinations.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/21/26 make clarifying changes regarding interagency coordination.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), which states that California is responsible for providing a range of services and supports sufficiently complete to meet the needs and choices of each person with developmental disabilities, regardless of age or degree of disability, and at each stage of life, and to support their integration into the mainstream life of the community. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC §4500 et seq.)
2. Establishes a system of nonprofit regional centers, overseen by DDS, to provide fixed points of contact in the community for all persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to coordinate services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime. (WIC §4620)
3. Defines “developmental disability” to mean a disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of DDS, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides that this term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Provides that this term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. (WIC §4512(a))
4. Makes any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant, eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. In addition, provides that any infant having a high risk, as defined, of becoming developmentally disabled may be eligible for intake and assessment services in the regional centers. (WIC §4642(a)(1))
5. Requires initial intake to be performed within 15 working days following request for assistance. Requires initial intake to include, but not be limited to, information and advice about the nature and availability of services provided by the regional center and by other agencies in the community, including guardianship, conservatorship, income maintenance, mental health, housing, education, work activity and vocational training, medical, dental, recreational, and other services or programs that may be useful to persons with developmental disabilities or their families. Requires intake to also include a decision to provide assessment. (WIC §4642(a)(2))
6. Requires, commencing on January 1, 2025, the regional center to take the following actions by the end of the 15-day initial intake period:
   1. Either of the following actions:
      1. Determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services.
      2. Determine if the regional center will initiate the assessment specified in (7) below.
   2. Inform the individual requesting intake of the regional center’s action.
   3. If the regional center determines that the individual is not eligible for regional center services, or that the regional center is not initiating the assessment specified in (7) below, provide the individual requesting intake and, if appropriate, the individuals’ parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, with adequate notice, as specified. (WIC §4642(a)(3))
7. Requires, if assessment is needed, the assessment to be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Requires assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information specified in (8) below. (WIC §4643(a))
8. Authorizes the regional center, in determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability, the regional center may consider evaluations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations that have been performed by, and are available from, other sources. (WIC §4643(b))
9. Requires at the time of assessment, the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator, to provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, prohibits the regional center from using that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center. (WIC 4643(c))
10. Provides that a juvenile case file may be inspected only by certain personnel, as specified. (WIC §827)

This bill:

1. Authorizes a county welfare or probation department to disseminate information from the juvenile case file about a child who may be eligible for regional center services to a regional center as necessary for the regional center to complete the case conference required by 4) below and the intake assessment, including to determine whether any of the circumstances that require an expedited are present. Provides that any information provided to the regional center may only be further disseminated to the extent permitted by WIC §827.
2. Requires initial intake to include a decision to provide an eligibility assessment.
3. Prohibits a decision not to provide assessment from being based solely on the age of the person when they received diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age.
4. Requires a regional center, for an initial intake involving a child welfare involved child or youth, to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance to include the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative.
5. Requires the case conference to clarify the consents, legal and judicial determinations, and documentation required, whether any of the circumstances necessitating an expedited assessment are present, and review the roles and requirements of each party based on the person-centered needs of the child welfare involved child or youth.
6. Specifies the case conference requirement shall not result in any delay to the child welfare involved child’s or youth’s right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination.
7. Requires DDS and the California Department of Social Services, by March 31, 2027, to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement.
8. Requires a regional center, for a child welfare involved child or youth, when there is a lack of documentation provided, to work with the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative to facilitate obtaining appropriate consents to release information and conduct necessary assessments, identify the sources and location of documents, and coordinate access to needed documentation, or directly procure other records which may be available and accessible and within the regional center’s authority. Specifies documentation may include, but is not limited to, school, medical, or court records.
9. Requires DDS to consult with the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners and other community and representative organizations, as applicable, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes, roles, and responsibilities for child welfare involved child or youth.
10. Requires DDS, by January 30, 2027, to consult with the California Department of Social Services and obtain input from tribes, individuals with lived experience, and child welfare stakeholders to ensure consideration of child welfare involved children or youth in the development of the standardized intake processes, including, but not limited to, circumstances for which expedited intake processes would be required.
11. Requires a regional center to determine if the individual is provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-day initial intake period.
12. Defines the following terms for purposes of this bill:
    1. “Child welfare involved child or youth” means any of the following:
       1. A child who has been removed from their home by a county child welfare services agency.
       2. A child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition, as specified, whether or not the child has been removed from their home.
       3. A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law.
       4. A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement.
       5. A nonminor dependent.
    2. “Request for assistance” means any inquiry from an individual, or a person acting on their behalf, on the individual’s possible eligibility to receive services or supports available or provided by the regional center based on a potential developmental concern or disability.
13. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information and consents for assessments.
14. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
15. Requires regional centers to report any additional data metrics developed pursuant to this bill. Requires DDS to annually post on its internet website annual statewide intake data collected, by regional center and on a statewide-aggregate basis, inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth pursuant to this bill.
16. Requires DDS, commencing January 31, 2028, to annually post on its internet website statewide intake data pursuant to these provisions, to the extent allowed by current data systems, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregate basis inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth.
17. Requires the public reporting requirements to be developed in consultation with the community and representative organizations, including the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners, as applicable. Requires the public reporting requirements to include, but not be limited to, the number of intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program, disaggregated by demographic groups, including age, geography, and race.
18. Provides that the extent and specificity of the required data reporting under this bill shall keep pace with the capacity of DDS’ data systems as they evolve.

Background

Purpose of the Bill. According to the author, “For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption, and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. AB 1099 removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control.”

Child Welfare Services. The child welfare services system is an essential component of the state’s safety net. When a report of abuse or neglect is substantiated, a family is either provided with services to ensure the child’s well-being and avoid court involvement, or the child is removed and placed into foster care. After the county child welfare department becomes involved with families, approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who are able to remain safely in their home while the family receives services. This is considered family preservation services and the child does not come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile dependency court during this time. If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services, the child comes under the jurisdiction of the county’s juvenile dependency court while the family is served by a child welfare services system social worker.

Studies have shown that while the child welfare system tends to err on the side of removal, removal itself can cause irreparable harm. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, removal from parents can disrupt a child’s brain architecture and negatively impact their health. The research goes on to note that not only are there psychological traumas at the time of removal; those can occur long after reunification. These children can experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and developmental delays.

Lanterman Act. In 1969, the Lanterman Act established that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to receive the necessary supports and services required to live independently in the community. The Lanterman Act enumerates the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the rights of their families, what services and supports are available to these individuals, and how regional centers and service providers work together to provide these supports and services. The term “developmental disability” is defined as a disability that originates before a person reaches 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant disability for the individual; such disabilities include, among others: epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. As there are no income-related eligibility criteria, Lanterman Act services are considered an entitlement program. The Department of Finance estimates that approximately 487,114 individuals will receive developmental services in 2025–26, increasing to 526,848 in 2026–27.

Regional Centers. Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS and a statewide network of 21 regional centers, which are private, community-based nonprofit entities that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. Regional center services may include diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and care coordination of services such as personal care, day care, special living arrangements, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Regional center services are not consistent across the state. One often-cited strength of the regional center system is each regional center’s local control and flexibility, while one challenge is the system’s lack of uniformity.

Two-Step Eligibility Process. State law establishes a two-step process to determine whether an individual is eligible for regional center services. The first step is the initial 15-day intake period, where the individual with a suspected diagnosis first gets in touch with a regional center. Regional centers are required to provide information and advice about services provided by the regional center and other community agencies. Regional centers are also required to make a decision on whether they will provide assessment of the individual requesting services. If the regional center determines the individual is not eligible for regional center services, it must provide a notice of action regarding the denial.

If a regional center decides to move on to assessment, the second of the two-step eligibility process, it must perform an assessment within 120 days following the initial intake. For more vulnerable individuals at risk of harm to their health and safety or further developmental delays, or individuals at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment, the regional center must perform an assessment within 60 days following the initial intake. All assessments may utilize available data and information, including medical evaluations, contingent upon release of such information.

Comments

The two-step intake and eligibility determination process disproportionately impacts foster children, who often do not have a formal medical diagnosis readily available and who experience frequent placement changes across city and county lines. According to the sponsors of this bill, it can take many months, or even years, to get an assessment, and even longer to establish eligibility, simply based on their status as a foster child. These delays commonly lead to placement instability and increased risk of institutionalization.

This bill seeks to ensure children in the foster care system receive a timely assessment for regional center services by requiring a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth. This bill also requires DDS and the California Department of Social Services, in consultation with other community organizations, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes for child welfare involved children or youth. This bill seeks to streamline and expedite the delivery of regional center services for children with an eligible diagnosis. Access to these services and supports can provide stability to both the foster child and caregivers.

[Note: See the Senate Human Services Committee analysis for additional background on this bill.]

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 1220 (Arambula) would have required DDS to compile and report data on denials of services and required a regional center to document in each consumer’s individual program plan all of the consumer’s denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

AB 1208 (Addis) would have required DDS, by July 1, 2026, to review and assess all established and pending regional center and vendored service provider quality, performance and outcome measures, and required DDS to consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a uniform set of measures, a mechanism to track measures over time, and performance indicators and benchmarks for regional centers. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

SB 138 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 192, Statutes of 2023), a budget trailer bill, among other things, required DDS to establish a standardized intake process for individuals to learn if they are eligible for regional center services, and required regional centers to report how many individuals went through the intake process and how long the process took.

AB 2083 (Cooley, Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018) required each county to develop an MOU to describe the roles and responsibilities of certain entities that serve foster youth who have experienced severe trauma and instructs the secretary of CalHHS and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to implement and review aspects of the MOUs.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/21/26)

Children’s Law Center of California (co-source)

Disability Rights California (co-source)

Public Counsel (co-source)

All of US or None Orange County

Alliance for Children's Rights

California Alliance for Retired Americans

California Alliance of Caregivers

Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Dependency Legal Services

Disability Voices United

East Bay Children's Law Offices

Easterseals Northern California

Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone

Hand in Hand: the Domestic Employers Network

John Burton Advocates for Youth

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Public Law Center

SCDD

Special Needs Network, INC.

Starting Over INC.

Starting Over Strong

Sycamores

The Arc California

Western Center on Law & Poverty, INC.

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/21/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

Prepared by: Diana Dominguez / Human Services / (916) 651-1524

8/24/26 13:29:43

**** END ****

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 1099

Author: Bryan (D)

Amended: 8/13/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/30/25

AYES: Arreguín, Ochoa Bogh, Becker, Limón, Pérez

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/13/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Developmental services: initial intake

SOURCE: Children’s Law Center of California

Disability Rights California

Public Counsel

DIGEST:

This bill (1) requires a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following an initial request for assistance for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth; (2) prohibits a determination not to provide additional assessment from being solely based on the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition; and (3) requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website specified data related to initial intakes and assessment and eligibility determinations.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), which states that California is responsible for providing a range of services and supports sufficiently complete to meet the needs and choices of each person with developmental disabilities, regardless of age or degree of disability, and at each stage of life, and to support their integration into the mainstream life of the community. (Welfare and Institutions Code Section (WIC 4500 et seq.)
2. Establishes a system of nonprofit regional centers, overseen by DDS, to provide fixed points of contact in the community for all persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to coordinate services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime. (WIC 4620)
3. Defines “developmental disability” to mean a disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of DDS, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides that this term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Provides that this term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. (WIC 4512(a))
4. Makes any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant, eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. In addition, provides that any infant having a high risk, as defined, of becoming developmentally disabled may be eligible for intake and assessment services in the regional centers. (WIC 4642(a)(1))
5. Requires initial intake to be performed within 15 working days following request for assistance. Requires initial intake to include, but not be limited to, information and advice about the nature and availability of services provided by the regional center and by other agencies in the community, including guardianship, conservatorship, income maintenance, mental health, housing, education, work activity and vocational training, medical, dental, recreational, and other services or programs that may be useful to persons with developmental disabilities or their families. Requires intake to also include a decision to provide assessment. (WIC 4642(a)(2))
6. Requires, commencing on January 1, 2025, the regional center to take the following actions by the end of the 15-day initial intake period:
   1. Either of the following actions:
      1. Determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services.
      2. Determine if the regional center will initiate the assessment specified in (7) below.
   2. Inform the individual requesting intake of the regional center’s action.
   3. If the regional center determines that the individual is not eligible for regional center services, or that the regional center is not initiating the assessment specified in (7) below, provide the individual requesting intake and, if appropriate, the individuals’ parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, with adequate notice, as specified. (WIC 4642(a)(3))
7. Requires, if assessment is needed, the assessment to be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Requires assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information specified in (8) below. (WIC 4643(a))
8. Authorizes the regional center, in determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability, the regional center may consider evaluations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations that have been performed by, and are available from, other sources. (WIC 4643(b))
9. Requires at the time of assessment, the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator, to provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, prohibits the regional center from using that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center. (WIC 4643(c))

This bill:

1. Requires initial intake to include a decision to provide an eligibility assessment.
2. Prohibits a decision not to provide assessment from being based solely on the age of the person when they received diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age.
3. Requires a regional center, for an initial intake involving a child welfare involved child or youth, to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days following the initial request for assistance to include the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative.
4. Specifies the case conference requirement shall not result in any delay to the child welfare involved child’s or youth’s right to a timely intake, assessment, or eligibility determination.
5. Requires DDS and the California Department of Social Services, by March 31, 2027, to issue joint guidance to operationalize the case conference requirement.
6. Requires a regional center, for a child welfare involved child or youth, when there is a lack of documentation provided, to work with the county child welfare services agency, probation department, or tribal consortium, as applicable, and, if appropriate, the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, Indian custodian, or authorized representative to facilitate obtaining appropriate consents to release information and conduct necessary assessments, identify the sources and location of documents, and coordinate access to needed documentation, or directly procure other records which may be available and accessible and within the regional center’s authority. Specifies documentation may include, but is not limited to, school, medical, or court records.
7. Requires DDS to consult with the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners and other community and representative organizations, as applicable, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes, roles, and responsibilities for child welfare involved child or youth.
8. Requires DDS, by January 30, 2027, to consult with the California Department of Social Services and obtain input from tribes, individuals with lived experience, and child welfare stakeholders to ensure consideration of child welfare involved children or youth in the development of the standardized intake processes, including, but not limited to, circumstances for which expedited intake processes would be required.
9. Requires a regional center to determine if the individual is provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-day initial intake period.
10. Defines the following terms for purposes of this bill:
    1. “Child welfare involved child or youth” means any of the following:
       1. A child who has been removed from their home by a county child welfare services agency.
       2. A child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition, as specified, whether or not the child has been removed from their home.
       3. A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law.
       4. A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement.
       5. A nonminor dependent.
    2. “Request for assistance” means any inquiry from an individual, or a person acting on their behalf, on the individual’s possible eligibility to receive services or supports available or provided by the regional center based on a potential developmental concern or disability.
11. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information and consents for assessments.
12. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
13. Requires regional centers to report any additional data metrics developed pursuant to this bill. Requires DDS to annually post on its internet website annual statewide intake data collected, by regional center and on a statewide-aggregate basis, inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth pursuant to this bill.
14. Requires DDS, commencing January 31, 2028, to annually post on its internet website statewide intake data pursuant to these provisions, to the extent allowed by current data systems, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregate basis inclusive of intake data regarding child welfare involved children or youth.
15. Requires the public reporting requirements to be developed in consultation with the community and representative organizations, including the California Department of Social Services and other Children and Youth System of Care partners, as applicable. Requires the public reporting requirements to include, but not be limited to, the number of intakes, the timeliness of assessment and eligibility determinations, and the percentage of assessments resulting in eligibility by program, disaggregated by demographic groups, including age, geography, and race.
16. Provides that the extent and specificity of the required data reporting under this bill shall keep pace with the capacity of DDS’ data systems as they evolve.

Background

Purpose of the Bill. According to the author, “For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption, and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. AB 1099 removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control.”

Child Welfare Services. The child welfare services system is an essential component of the state’s safety net. When a report of abuse or neglect is substantiated, a family is either provided with services to ensure the child’s well-being and avoid court involvement, or the child is removed and placed into foster care. After the county child welfare department becomes involved with families, approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who are able to remain safely in their home while the family receives services. This is considered family preservation services and the child does not come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile dependency court during this time. If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services, the child comes under the jurisdiction of the county’s juvenile dependency court while the family is served by a child welfare services system social worker.

Studies have shown that while the child welfare system tends to err on the side of removal, removal itself can cause irreparable harm. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, removal from parents can disrupt a child’s brain architecture and negatively impact their health. The research goes on to note that not only are there psychological traumas at the time of removal; those can occur long after reunification. These children can experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and developmental delays.

Lanterman Act. In 1969, the Lanterman Act established that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to receive the necessary supports and services required to live independently in the community. The Lanterman Act enumerates the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the rights of their families, what services and supports are available to these individuals, and how regional centers and service providers work together to provide these supports and services. The term “developmental disability” is defined as a disability that originates before a person reaches 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant disability for the individual; such disabilities include, among others: epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. As there are no income-related eligibility criteria, Lanterman Act services are considered an entitlement program. The Department of Finance estimates that approximately 487,114 individuals will receive developmental services in 2025–26, increasing to 526,848 in 2026–27.

Regional Centers. Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS and a statewide network of 21 regional centers, which are private, community-based nonprofit entities that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. Regional center services may include diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and care coordination of services such as personal care, day care, special living arrangements, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Regional center services are not consistent across the state. One often-cited strength of the regional center system is each regional center’s local control and flexibility, while one challenge is the system’s lack of uniformity.

Two-Step Eligibility Process. State law establishes a two-step process to determine whether an individual is eligible for regional center services. The first step is the initial 15-day intake period, where the individual with a suspected diagnosis first gets in touch with a regional center. Regional centers are required to provide information and advice about services provided by the regional center and other community agencies. Regional centers are also required to make a decision on whether they will provide assessment of the individual requesting services. If the regional center determines the individual is not eligible for regional center services, it must provide a notice of action regarding the denial.

If a regional center decides to move on to assessment, the second of the two-step eligibility process, it must perform an assessment within 120 days following the initial intake. For more vulnerable individuals at risk of harm to their health and safety or further developmental delays, or individuals at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment, the regional center must perform an assessment within 60 days following the initial intake. All assessments may utilize available data and information, including medical evaluations, contingent upon release of such information.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 1220 (Arambula) would have required DDS to compile and report data on denials of services and required a regional center to document in each consumer’s individual program plan all of the consumer’s denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

AB 1208 (Addis) would have required DDS, by July 1, 2026, to review and assess all established and pending regional center and vendored service provider quality, performance and outcome measures, and required DDS to consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a uniform set of measures, a mechanism to track measures over time, and performance indicators and benchmarks for regional centers. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

SB 138 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 192, Statutes of 2023), a budget trailer bill, among other things, required DDS to establish a standardized intake process for individuals to learn if they are eligible for regional center services, and required regional centers to report how many individuals went through the intake process and how long the process took.

AB 2083 (Cooley, Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018) required each county to develop an MOU to describe the roles and responsibilities of certain entities that serve foster youth who have experienced severe trauma and instructs the secretary of CalHHS and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to implement and review aspects of the MOUs.

Comments

The two-step intake and eligibility determination process disproportionately impacts foster children, who often do not have a formal medical diagnosis readily available and who experience frequent placement changes across city and county lines. According to the sponsors of this bill, it can take many months, or even years, to get an assessment, and even longer to establish eligibility, simply based on their status as a foster child. These delays commonly lead to placement instability and increased risk of institutionalization.

This bill seeks to ensure children in the foster care system receive a timely assessment for regional center services by requiring a regional center to facilitate a case conference within 15 working days for intakes involving a child welfare involved child or youth. This bill would also require DDS and the California Department of Social Services, in consultation with other community organizations, to develop joint guidance to align existing intake processes for child welfare involved children or youth. This bill seeks to streamline and expedite the delivery of regional center services for children with an eligible diagnosis. Access to these services and supports can provide stability to both the foster child and caregivers.

[Note: See the Senate Human Services Committee analysis for additional background on this bill.]

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/13/26)

Children’s Law Center of California (Co-source)

Disability Rights California (Co-source)

Public Counsel (Co-source)

All of US or None Orange County

Alliance for Children's Rights

California Alliance for Retired Americans

California Alliance of Caregivers

Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Dependency Legal Services

Disability Voices United

East Bay Children's Law Offices

Easterseals Northern California

Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone

Hand in Hand: the Domestic Employers Network

John Burton Advocates for Youth

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Public Law Center

SCDD

Special Needs Network, INC.

Starting Over INC.

Starting Over Strong

Sycamores

The Arc California

Western Center on Law & Poverty, INC.

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/13/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

Prepared by: Diana Dominguez / Human Services / (916) 651-1524

8/17/26 10:34:22

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 1099 (Bryan) - Developmental services: initial intake: assessment

Bill Summary:

AB 1099 would revise regional center intake and assessment processes.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on August 13, 2026

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

Author Amendments:

Replace provisions with revised processes, including the facilitation of a case conference and development of a collaborative intake process for child welfare involved children and youth.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 1099 (Bryan) - Developmental services: initial intake: assessment

Bill Summary:

AB 1099 would revise regional center intake and assessment processes.

Fiscal Impact:

• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs, likely hundreds of thousands, for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for state administration.
• Unknown ongoing General Fund costs for increased workload for regional centers.

Background:

California’s Lanterman Act established that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to receive the necessary supports and services required to live independently in the community. The Lanterman Act enumerates the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the rights of their families, what services and supports are available to these individuals, and how regional centers and service providers work together to provide these supports and services. The term “developmental disability” is defined as a disability that originates before a person reaches 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant disability for the individual; such disabilities include, among others: epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy.

Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS and a statewide network of 21 regional centers, which are private, community-based nonprofit entities that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. The primary purpose of regional centers is to connect individuals with services in the community. Current law requires the DDS and the regional centers to annually collaborate to compile and report data in a uniform manner relating to purchase of service authorization, utilization, and expenditure by each regional center, as specified.

State law establishes a two-step process to determine whether an individual is eligible for regional center services. The first step is the initial 15- working day intake period. Regional centers are required to provide information and advice about services provided by the regional center and other community agencies. Regional centers are also required to make a decision on whether they will provide assessment of the individual requesting services. If the regional center determines the individual is not eligible for regional center services or that the regional center is not initiating the assessment, it must provide notice to the individual requesting intake.

If a regional center decides to move on to assessment, the second of the two-step eligibility process, it must perform an assessment within 120 days following the initial intake. For more vulnerable individuals at risk of harm to their health and safety, further developmental delays, or imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment, the regional center must perform an assessment within 60 days following the initial intake. All assessments may utilize available diagnostic data and information, including tests and evaluations, contingent upon release of such information.

Proposed Law:

Specific provisions of the bill would:

• Provide that the initial intake may include a determination that the person is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services.
• Prohibit a decision not to provide the assessment from being based solely on either of the following:
  • The lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative.
  • The age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age, as determined through the assessment process.
• Require that for initial intakes involving a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period, the regional center must conduct an assessment.
• Require that if assessment is needed, the assessment must be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake when the client is a foster child.
• Impose additional requirements on regional centers regarding the assessment process, as specified.
• Require DDS to annually post on its internet website annual statewide data regarding intakes and assessments, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregate basis, as specified.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Senator Arreguín, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Subject: Developmental services: initial intake: assessment

SUMMARY

This bill would require a regional center to conduct an eligibility assessment following the 15-day initial intake period for a foster child, as defined. This bill would require an assessment conducted for a foster child to take no more than 60 days, irrespective of whether the person requesting the eligibility determination possesses supporting documentation. This bill would require the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website specified statewide data on the number of initial intakes and assessments and the frequency of eligibility determinations and denials.

ABSTRACT

Existing Law:

1. Establishes the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), which states that California is responsible for providing a range of services and supports sufficiently complete to meet the needs and choices of each person with developmental disabilities, regardless of age or degree of disability, and at each stage of life, and to support their integration into the mainstream life of the community. (Welfare and Institutions (WIC 4500 et seq.)
2. Establishes a system of nonprofit regional centers, overseen by DDS, to provide fixed points of contact in the community for all persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to coordinate services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime. (WIC 4620)
3. Defines “developmental disability” to mean a disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of DDS, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides that this term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Provides that this term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. (WIC 4512(a))
4. Makes any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of parenting a developmentally disabled infant, eligible for initial intake and assessment services in the regional centers. In addition, provides that any infant having a high risk, as defined, of becoming developmentally disabled may be eligible for intake and assessment services in the regional centers. (WIC 4642(a)(1))
5. Requires initial intake to be performed within 15 working days following request for assistance. Requires initial intake to include, but not be limited to, information and advice about the nature and availability of services provided by the regional center and by other agencies in the community, including guardianship, conservatorship, income maintenance, mental health, housing, education, work activity and vocational training, medical, dental, recreational, and other services or programs that may be useful to persons with developmental disabilities or their families. Requires intake to also include a decision to provide assessment. (WIC 4642(a)(2))
6. Requires, commencing on January 1, 2025, the regional center to take the following actions by the end of the 15-day initial intake period:
   1. Either of the following actions:
      1. Determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services.
      2. Determine if the regional center will initiate the assessment specified in (7) below.
   2. Inform the individual requesting intake of the regional center’s action.
   3. If the regional center determines that the individual is not eligible for regional center services, or that the regional center is not initiating the assessment specified in (7) below, provide the individual requesting intake and, if appropriate, the individuals’ parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, with adequate notice, as specified. (WIC 4642(a)(3))
7. Requires, if assessment is needed, the assessment to be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Requires assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Provides that assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information specified in (8) below. (WIC 4643(a))
8. Authorizes the regional center, in determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability, the regional center may consider evaluations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations that have been performed by, and are available from, other sources. (WIC 4643(b))
9. Requires at the time of assessment, the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardian, or conservator, to provide copies of any health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits, including, but not limited to, private health insurance, a health care service plan, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and TRICARE. If the individual, or, where appropriate, the parents, legal guardians, or conservators, have no such benefits, prohibits the regional center from using that fact to negatively impact the services that the individual may or may not receive from the regional center. (WIC 4643(c))
10. Provides that an eligible infant or toddler shall have an individualized family service plan, which shall be used in place of an individual program plan. For an infant or toddler who has been evaluated for the first time, requires a meeting to share the results of the evaluation, to determine eligibility, and, for children who are eligible, to develop the initial individualized family service plan to be conducted within 45 calendar days of receipt of the written referral. (Government Code 95020)
11. Requires a case plan for a child in foster care to be based upon the Integrated Practice-Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) assessment and input from the child and family team. Requires a written case plan to be completed within a maximum of 60 days of the initial removal of the child. (WIC 16501.1)
12. Allows a parent to request a mediation conference and/or a due process hearing under certain circumstances, as specified, including if a regional center or local education agency proposes to initiate or change, or refuses to initiate or change, the identification, evaluation, assessment, placement or provision of appropriate early intervention services. Allows a parent to request a mediation conference at any time to resolve disagreements involving any matter related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C. (17 CCR 52172)
13. Requires a social worker, upon delivery of a child who has been taken into temporary custody, to immediately release the child to the custody of the child’s parent, guardian, Indian custodian, unless certain conditions exist. (WIC 309)
14. Provides that a child who has suffered, or is at substantial risk of suffering, abuse or neglect, as provided, by the child’s parent or guardian is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge the child a dependent child. (WIC 300)
15. Provides that, for any minor who is between 12 and 17 years of age, inclusive, is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge the minor to be a ward of the court for violating any law, as specified. (WIC 602)
16. Defines “voluntary placement agreement” to mean a written agreement between either the county welfare department, probation department, or Indian tribe, as specified, licensed public or private adoption agency, or the department acting as an adoption agency, and the parents or guardians of a child that specifies, at a minimum, the following:
    1. The legal status of the child.
    2. The rights and obligations of the parents or guardians, the child, and the agency in which the child is placed. (WIC 11400(p))
17. Defines “nonminor dependent” to mean, on and after January 1, 2012, a foster child who is a current dependent child or ward of the juvenile court, or who is a nonminor under the transition jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and who satisfies additional age and placement criteria, as specified. (WIC 11400(v))

This Bill:

1. Requires initial intake to include a decision to provide an eligibility assessment. Provides that initial intake may include a determination that the person is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services. For initial intakes involving a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period, requires the regional center to conduct the assessment.
2. Prohibits a decision not to provide assessment from being based solely on either of the following:
   1. The lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative.
   2. The age of the person when they received diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age, as determined through the assessment process.
3. Requires, in the case of a foster child, the regional center to take either of the following actions by the end of the 15-day initial intake period:
   1. Determine if the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services.
   2. Refer the foster child for assessment.
4. Defines the following terms for purposes of this bill:
   1. “Foster child” means any of the following:
      1. A child who has been removed from their home by a county child welfare services agency.
      2. A child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition, as specified, whether or not the child has been removed from their home.
      3. A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law.
      4. A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement.
      5. A nonminor dependent.
   2. “Request for assistance” means any initial contact or inquiry from an individual, or a person acting on their behalf, on the nature of services or supports available or provided by the regional center, or the individual’s possible eligibility to receive them based on a potential developmental concern or disability.
5. Requires assessment to be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake when the client is a foster child.
6. Provides collection and review of available historical data, tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs, as specified, may be obtained upon, rather than be conditional upon, receipt of the release of information. Requires the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring this documentation to ensure that assessment is conducted as soon as possible. Requires assessment to be conducted within required timelines irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses that documentation.
7. Requires the regional center, in determining if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability, to make its determination within the required timelines irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses specified documentation.
8. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
9. Requires DDS to annually post on its internet website all of the following annual statewide data, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregate basis:
   1. The number of initial intakes, and, separately, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by regional centers.
   2. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children, that resulted in eligibility and provisional eligibility determinations, respectively, during the initial intake period.
   3. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children that occurred more than 15 working days following a request for assistance.
   4. The number of assessments conducted by regional centers and the percentage of cases that resulted in an assessment after the initial intake.
   5. The total number of individuals, and, separately, the total number of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment within 60 days following initial intake.
   6. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment following initial intake but whose assessment occurred more than 60 days following initial intake.
   7. The percentage of assessments that occurred more than 120 days following initial intake.
   8. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, whose applications for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act took longer than the 45-day timeline required for an individualized family service plan.
   9. The average number of days that elapsed between a request for assistance and an initial intake for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an initial intake.
   10. The average number of days that elapsed between an initial intake and an assessment for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an assessment following initial intake.
   11. The number of instances, age, race or ethnicity, and preferred language for all of the following:
       1. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied an initial intake following a request for assistance.
       2. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied eligibility for services pursuant to the definition of “developmental disability” following an assessment.
       3. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who, following an assessment, were denied eligibility for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act.
       4. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who challenged an initial intake denial or eligibility denial through the appeals process or a mediation conference or due process hearing, as applicable.

FISCAL IMPACT

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, “This bill requires DDS to annually publish specified data on its public website including the number of initial intakes conducted by regional centers, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, and other intake, assessment, and reporting metrics. Additionally, this bill requires regional centers to refer and conduct additional assessments for foster children within 60 days. To fulfill these requirements, DDS estimates the following:

1. General Fund (GF) costs of $411,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, $818,000 in FY 2026-27 and annually ongoing for six staff positions for administrative, oversight, and implementation support, as well as IT specialists to support the creation of a standardized intake system across all 21 regional centers to facilitate request tracking and ensure cases involving foster youth are accurately identified.
2. GF costs of an unknown amount for additional workload to regional center intake staff to accommodate the reduction in the assessment period for children and youth in foster care, from 120 to 60 days. California has approximately 40,000 children and youth in foster care. Recent data indicates approximately 3% of foster youth (1,170 individuals for FY 2023-24) are referred to DDS for evaluation. Additionally, there may be costs due to the time necessary to obtain educational and medical records for foster children who frequently move between homes, which sometimes results in gaps in record retention and inconsistent information.”

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

Purpose of the Bill:

According to the author, “For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption, and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. AB 1099 removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth. AB 1099 will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability and support family reunification for system-involved families.”

Child Welfare Services

The child welfare services system is an essential component of the state’s safety net. Once a county social worker receives a report of abuse or neglect they work to investigate and resolve the report. When a case is substantiated, a family is either provided with services to ensure a child’s well-being and avoid court involvement, or a child is removed and placed into foster care. In 2024, the state’s child welfare agencies received 417,513 reports of abuse or neglect. Of these, 46,457 reports contained allegations that were substantiated and 17,390 children were removed from their homes and placed into foster care via the child welfare services system. After the county child welfare department becomes involved with families, approximately 12 months of services are provided to children who are able to remain safely in their home while the family receives services. This is considered family preservation services and the child does not come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile dependency court during this time. If it is determined that a child cannot remain in the home, even with family preservation and support services, the child comes under the jurisdiction of the county’s juvenile dependency court while the family is served by a child welfare services system social worker.

Studies have shown that while the child welfare system tends to err on the side of removal, removal itself can cause irreparable harm. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, removal from parents can disrupt a child’s brain architecture and negatively impact their health. The research goes on to note that not only are there psychological traumas at the time of removal, those can occur long after reunification. These children can experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and developmental delays.

Lanterman Act

In 1969, the Lanterman Act established that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have a right to receive the necessary supports and services required to live independently in the community. The Lanterman Act enumerates the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the rights of their families, what services and supports are available to these individuals, and how regional centers and service providers work together to provide these supports and services. The term “developmental disability” is defined as a disability that originates before a person reaches 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and is a significant disability for the individual; such disabilities include, among others: epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. As there are no income-related eligibility criteria, Lanterman Act services are considered an entitlement program. The Department of Finance estimates that approximately 465,165 individuals will receive developmental services in 2024–25, increasing to 504,905 in 2025–26.^[1]

Regional Centers

Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS and a statewide network of 21 regional centers, which are private, community-based nonprofit entities that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. Regional center services may include diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and care coordination of services such as personal care, day care, special living arrangements, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Additional services include, but are not limited to: mental health services, recreation, counseling for the individual served and their family, assistance locating a home, behavior training and modification programs, emergency and crisis intervention, respite for family caregivers, short-term out-of-home care, social skills training, specialized medical and dental care, telehealth services and supports, training for parents of children with developmental disabilities, and transportation services.

Regional center contracts include specific and measurable performance objectives. Every year, DDS reviews each regional center’s performance data for compliance with their contracts and posts them on their website. Regional center services are not consistent across the state. One often-cited strength of the regional center system is each regional center’s local control and flexibility, while one challenge is the system’s lack of uniformity.

Two-Step Eligibility Process

State law establishes a two-step process to determine whether an individual is eligible for regional center services. The first step is the initial 15-day intake period, where the individual with a suspected diagnosis first gets in touch with a regional center. Regional centers are required to provide information and advice about services provided by the regional center and other community agencies. Regional centers are also required to make a decision on whether they will provide assessment of the individual requesting services. If the regional center determines the individual is not eligible for regional center services, it must provide a notice of action regarding the denial.

If a regional center decides to move on to assessment, the second of the two-step eligibility process, it must perform an assessment within 120 days following the initial intake. For more vulnerable individuals at risk of harm to their health and safety or further developmental delays, or individuals at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment, the regional center must perform an assessment within 60 days following the initial intake. All assessments may utilize available data and information, including medical evaluations, contingent upon release of such information.

This bill would add a foster child to the list of vulnerable individuals for whom a 60-day assessment period is required, rather than the extended 120-day period. This bill would additionally specify, for all assessments, regardless of child welfare involvement, that a decision not to provide an assessment shall not be based solely on a lack of documentation or the age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as that condition originated before the person turned 18 years old.

IP-CANS Assessment

The IP-CANS assessment is a multi-purpose communication tool developed to assess well-being; identify a range of social and behavioral healthcare needs; support care coordination and collaborative decision making; monitor outcomes of individuals, providers, and systems; and facilitate the linkage between the assessment process and the design of individualized service plans. The assessment covers behavioral and emotional needs, life functioning, risk behaviors, cultural factors, strengths, caregiver resources and needs, potentially traumatic and adverse childhood experiences, and an early childhood section for children birth to five years old.

All County Letter No. 25-10^[2] provides updated requirements for placing agencies to complete the IP-CANS tool for children, youth, and nonminor dependents. Beginning July 1, 2025, all placing agencies are required to complete the IP-CANS assessment for family maintenance and foster care cases within a maximum of 60 days of the initial removal of the child. Placing agencies may enter into formal agreements with community-based organizations or county mental health plans for the completion of the assessment. This bill would similarly require a maximum of 60 days for a regional center to conduct an eligibility assessment for a child who has been removed from their home, a child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition, a dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, a child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement, or a nonminor dependent. This bill would additionally require, for all assessments, regardless of child welfare involvement, a regional center to assist in collecting and procuring supporting documentation to ensure the eligibility assessment is conducted as soon as possible, and would require a regional center to make its determination within the required timelines, regardless of whether the person requesting the assessment possesses documentation.

Data Reporting Requirements

In December 2011, the Los Angeles Times published a six-part series entitled Discovering Autism^[3]. The series of articles described the rise in prevalence of autism and examined how families navigated the state’s developmental services system. The second article in the series highlighted disparities in DDS spending per child, citing “an average of $11,723 per child on whites, compared with $11,063 on Asians, $7,634 on Latinos and $6,593 on blacks.”^[4] Using purchase of service expenditures broken out by demographic characteristics became a lasting measurement of inequity in the developmental disability system.

SB 138, a trailer bill to the Budget Act of 2023, required DDS to establish a standardized intake process by January 1, 2025. SB 138 additionally required, beginning June 30, 2025, regional centers to report the following every three months: how many individuals went through the intake process and how long the process took. According to a January 2025 implementation update^[5] from DDS, the development of a standardized intake process is expected to take at least one more year.

This bill would require DDS to annually post on its website annual statewide data, by regional center, on a statewide-aggregate basis. The bill includes requests for data points on the number of initial intakes and assessments conducted, the timeliness of initial intakes and assessments, and the demographics of individuals who were denied an initial intake or assessment, including separate data points for foster children.

Related/Prior Legislation:

AB 1220 (Arambula) would require DDS to compile and report data on denials of services, and requires a regional center to document in each consumer’s individual program plan all of the consumer’s denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals. AB 1220 is set to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 30, 2025.

AB 1208 (Addis) would require DDS, by July 1, 2026, to review and assess all established and pending regional center and vendored service provider quality, performance and outcome measures, and require DDS to consult with stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a uniform set of measures, a mechanism to track measures over time, and performance indicators and benchmarks for regional centers. AB 1208 is set to be heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on June 30, 2025.

SB 138 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 192, Statutes of 2023), a budget trailer bill, among other things, required DDS to establish a standardized intake process for individuals to learn if they are eligible for regional center services, and required regional centers to report how many individuals went through the intake process and how long the process took.

AB 2083 (Cooley, Chapter 815, Statutes of 2018) required each county to develop an MOU to describe the roles and responsibilities certain of entities that serve foster youth who have experienced severe trauma, and instructs the secretary of CalHHS and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to implement and review aspects of the MOUs.

COMMENTS

The two-step intake and eligibility determination process disproportionately impacts foster children, who often do not have a formal medical diagnosis readily available and who experience frequent placement changes across city and county lines. According to the sponsors of this bill, it can take many months, or even years, to get an assessment, and even longer to establish eligibility, simply based on their status as a foster child. These delays commonly lead to placement instability and increased risk of institutionalization.

This bill seeks to ensure children in the foster care system receive a timely assessment for regional center services by making a foster child, youth, or nonminor dependent eligible for an expedited 60-day assessment by a regional center. In doing so, this bill seeks to guarantee the delivery of regional center services for children with an eligible diagnosis—services they are entitled to receive. Access to these services and supports can provide stability to both the foster child and caregivers. The 60-day timeline in this bill would match the 60-day timeline required of county welfare departments to conduct the IP-CANS assessment for children in foster care.

PRIOR VOTES

POSITIONS

Support:

Disability Rights California (Sponsor)

Children's Law Center of California (Co-Sponsor)

Public Counsel (Co-Sponsor)

All of US or None Orange County

California Alliance of Caregivers
Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Disability Voices United (DVU)
Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone (FIR4E)
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Public Law Center
SCDD

Special Needs Network, INC.

Starting Over INC.

The Arc California
Western Center on Law & Poverty, INC.

Oppose:

None received

-- END --

1. https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GovernorsBudgetHighlights_20250110.pdf ↑

2. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Additional-Resources/Letters-and-Notices/ACLs/2025/25-10.pdf?ver=JdkUMJq6Mi0Gjgu7ii638w%3d%3d ↑

3. https://www.latimes.com/local/datadesk/la-discovering-autism-20140408-storygallery.html ↑

4. https://www.latimes.com/local/autism/la-me-autism-day-two-html-htmlstory.html ↑

5. https://www.dds.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SB-138-Initiatives-Summary-January-2025.pdf ↑

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1099

Author:(Bryan)

As Amended Ver:April 22, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Revises the existing requirements for initial intake and assessments at regional centers for persons believed to have a developmental disability.

Major Provisions

1. Authorizes an initial intake to include a determination that the person is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services.
2. Prohibits a decision to not provide an assessment from being solely based on either: the lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person's parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, or age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age, as determined through the assessment process.
3. Requires the regional center, for initial intakes involving a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period, to conduct the assessment.
4. Requires the regional center by the end of the 15-day initial intake period to determine if the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services or refer the foster child for the assessment.
5. Requires a regional center to give adequate notice, as specified, if it determines that an individual is not provisionally eligible for regional center services.
6. Adds when a client is a foster child to the list of circumstances when an assessment must be performed as soon as possible and no more than 60 days following the initial intake.
7. Removes existing law that made an assessment conditional upon receipt of the release of information, as specified, and instead authorizes the receipt of the release of information for the assessment, requires the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring this documentation to ensure that assessment is conducted as soon as possible. Requires the assessment to be conducted within the timelines as specified, irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses that documentation.
8. Requires the regional center to make its determination within the timelines specified, irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses that documentation of valuations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.
9. Adds an authorized representative to the list of people who must provide copies of health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits. Adds conservators and authorized representatives to the list of people that the regional center and cannot use the lack of benefits to negatively impact the services. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
10. Requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website the following statewide data, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregated basis:
    1. The number of initial intakes, and, separately, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by regional centers;
    2. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children, that resulted in eligibility and provisional eligibility determinations, respectively, during the initial intake period;
    3. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children that occurred more than 15 working days following a request for assistance;
    4. The number of assessments conducted by regional centers and the percentage of cases that resulted in an assessment after the initial intake;
    5. The total number of individuals, and, separately, the total number of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment within 60 days following initial intake;
    6. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment following initial intake but whose assessment occurred more than 60 days following initial intake;
    7. The percentage of assessments that occurred more than 120 days following initial intake;
    8. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, whose applications for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act took longer than the 45-day timeline;
    9. The average number of days that elapsed between a request for assistance and an initial intake for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an initial intake;
    10. The average number of days that elapsed between an initial intake and an assessment for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an assessment following initial intake; and,
    11. The age, race or ethnicity, and preferred language for all of the following:
        1. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied an initial intake following a request for assistance;
        2. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied eligibility for services;
        3. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who, following an assessment, were denied eligibility for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act; and,
        4. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who challenged an initial intake denial or eligibility denial through the appeals process or a mediation conference or due process hearing, as applicable.

COMMENTS

Background: Initial Intake and Assessment Process. Regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. However, prior to becoming a consumer, an individual must go through the intake process. Any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of becoming the parent of a developmentally disabled infant, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services. To start the intake process, regional centers require an application and request any applicable documentation that might help determine the child's developmental needs. The intake also includes an interview with a regional center coordinator. Following the initial intake, the regional center determines if an assessment is appropriate. If a regional center makes the decision not to provide an assessment, they must properly notify the individual, parent, or authorized representative so they are aware of the option to appeal the regional center's decision through the fair hearing process. Current law requires a decision to be made within 15 days.

After the intake, the regional center may conduct an assessment to determine regional center eligibility. The assessment includes intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, and other specialized tests. Regional centers are authorized to ask for supporting documents such as available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels.

This assessment is required to be performed within 120 days following the intake. In limited instances, regional centers are required to conduct the assessment within 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. This timeline is made conditional upon the recipient of the release of information for tests performed by other professionals such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.

This bill clarifies that foster youth must be included in the group of individuals that must be assessed within 60 days, not 120 days. This bill also specifies that the timelines must be met regardless of receiving the documentation described above.

A person is considered eligible for services if they have a disability that began before the individual's 18th birthday, which is expected to continue indefinitely, and present a substantial disability. Qualifying conditions include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

Following eligibility determination, the regional center and the consumer come up with an Individual Program Plan (IPP). IPP meetings are designed to help people with developmental disabilities outline in a person-centered manner a "preferred future" by identifying a preferred place to live, favorite people with whom to socialize, and preferred types of daily activities, including preferred jobs. After an IPP is decided upon, the consumer may begin services. Some of the services and supports provided by the regional centers include:

1. Information and referral;
2. Assessment and diagnosis;
3. Counseling;
4. Lifelong individualized planning and service coordination;
5. Purchase of necessary services included in the IPP;
6. Resource development;
7. Outreach;
8. Assistance in finding and using community and other resources;
9. Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil, and service rights;
10. Early intervention services for at risk infants and their families;
11. Genetic counseling;
12. Family support;
13. Planning, placement, and monitoring for 24-hour out-of-home care;
14. Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families; and,
15. Community education about developmental disabilities.

Foster Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). California does not track how many foster youth have I/DD so it is difficult to pinpoint how many foster youth are impacted by an I/DD. Advocates report that anywhere from 30-80% of foster youth have developmental delay. A 2019 study found that children with I/DD were more likely to experience abuse. According to the study, "Children with [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only were between two and three times more likely to experience maltreatment. All groups were more likely to experience physical neglect, and children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only groups were more likely to experience all forms of abuse. Children in the autism spectrum disorder-only group were more likely to experience physical abuse. Maltreated children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] only groups experienced more cases of physical abuse and neglect, and were victimized by more perpetrators compared to other maltreated youth. Maltreatment was associated with higher likelihood of aggression, hyperactivity, and tantrums for children with autism spectrum disorder." (McDonnell, et. al, 2019: Child maltreatment in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: results from a population-based sample. J Child Psychol Psychiatry.) This bill requires a report to the Legislature including information on the number of intakes and assessments involving foster youth. This does not address existing foster youth in the system, but it does help to pinpoint how many are entering the system.

The delivery of care to foster youth with I/DD is challenging for several reasons, including difficulty finding placements due to the coordination of services and therapy. Additionally, advocates report there is a delay in assessment, which then delays services and further complicates placements. If a foster youth does not have a stable placement and they are still pending an assessment from a regional center and move to another regional center, then they have to restart the intake. This bill establishes that foster youth must be assessed within 60 days after their initial intake.

Equity Implications: Given that foster youth often move to multiple placements within a short timeframe, they also require an expedient intake and assessment. Delays can be devastating for a foster youth who is waiting their turn with the regional center and then abruptly required to change placements. Unlike children who reside with their parents, foster youth do not typically have a primary adult that keeps all their documentation that a regional center may request to make a determination. This bill aims to create equitable access for foster youth so they can access services and supports like their peers.

According to the Author

"For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state's regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center's overly burdensome application process. [This bill] removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth. [This bill] will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability, and support family reunification for system-involved families."

Arguments in Support

According to the co-sponsors of this bill, Children's Law Center of CA, Disability Rights California, Public Counsel "…foster youth routinely face significant delays in regional centers' two-step intake and assessment process. This can result in delays or denials of vital support during critical developmental windows and lead to family separation and unnecessarily restrictive placements.

[This bill] directly addresses these systemic challenges by:

1. Ensuring System-Involved Youth Are Assessed for Eligibility. Youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems often lack comprehensive medical and educational records, making it difficult for them to provide the documentation typically reviewed for regional center eligibility. This bill would prohibit regional centers from rejecting an applicant solely due to missing or incomplete documentation.

2. Expediting the Eligibility Determination Process for System-Involved Youth. Many of these youth experience multiple placement changes across city and county lines, which can lead to delays as they move between different regional centers' catchment areas. Frequently, regional centers require these youth to restart the entire eligibility process all over again each time they move. Miscommunication between agencies can result in referrals being closed without youth ever receiving an assessment, let alone an eligibility determination.

3. Improving Data Collection and Transparency: The bill would require the Department of Developmental Services to collect and report data about the timeliness of the intake and assessment process for all applicants. This data will allow state agencies, the legislature, and advocates to identify specifically where barriers to timely intake and assessment arise most often, both generally and particularly for system-involved youth."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 21, 2025, this bill requires DDS to annually publish specified data on its public website including the number of initial intakes conducted by regional centers, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, and other intake, assessment, and reporting metrics. Additionally, this bill requires regional centers to refer and conduct additional assessments for foster children within 60 days. To fulfill these requirements, DDS estimates the following:

1. General Fund (GF) costs of $411,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, $818,000 in FY 2026-27 and annually ongoing for six staff positions for administrative, oversight, and implementation support, as well as IT specialists to support the creation of a standardized intake system across all 21 regional centers to facilitate request tracking and ensure cases involving foster youth are accurately identified.
2. GF costs of an unknown amount for additional workload to regional center intake staff to accommodate the reduction in the assessment period for children and youth in foster care, from 120 to 60 days. California has approximately 40,000 children and youth in foster care. Recent data indicates approximately 3% of foster youth (1,170 individuals for FY 2023-24) are referred to DDS for evaluation. Additionally, there may be costs due to the time necessary to obtain educational and medical records for foster children who frequently move between homes, which sometimes results in gaps in record retention and inconsistent information.

VOTES

ASM HUMAN SERVICES: 7-0-0

YES: Lee, Castillo, Calderon, Elhawary, Jackson, Celeste Rodriguez, Tangipa

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Hart, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez

UPDATED

VERSION: April 22, 2025

CONSULTANT: Alexandria Smith / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089 FN: 0000845

Date of Hearing: May 21, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1099

Author:(Bryan) – As Amended Ver:April 22, 2025

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill revises the requirements for initial intake and assessments at regional centers for persons believed to have a developmental disability, including providing expedited intake and assessment timelines for foster youth.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes an initial intake at a regional center to include a determination that the person is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services.
2. Prohibits a decision to not provide an assessment from being solely based on either the lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance, or age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age, as determined through the assessment process.
3. Expands the requirement for a regional center to give adequate notice, as specified, to also include if it determines that an individual is not provisionally eligible for regional center services.
4. For an initial intake involving a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period, requires (rather than authorizes) the regional center to conduct the assessment.
5. Adds “foster child” to the list of circumstances when an assessment must be performed as soon as possible and no more than 60 days following the initial intake.
6. Deletes the requirement that an assessment be conditioned upon receipt of certain evaluations and tests, such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluation, and instead requires the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring this documentation to ensure the assessment is conducted as soon as possible.
7. Requires a regional center to conduct an assessment and determine if an individual meets the definition of developmental disability within the specified timelines, irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses the documentation in item 6, above.
8. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before the regional center conducts an assessment.
9. Requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website specified data relating to initial intakes, including, among other data, the number of initial intakes, and the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by a regional center.

FISCAL EFFECT:

This bill requires DDS to annually publish specified data on its public website including the number of initial intakes conducted by regional centers, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, and other intake, assessment, and reporting metrics. Additionally, this bill requires regional centers to refer and conduct additional assessments for foster children within 60 days. To fulfill these requirements, DDS estimates the following:

1. General Fund (GF) costs of $411,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, $818,000 in FY 2026-27 and annually ongoing for six staff positions for administrative, oversight, and implementation support, as well as IT specialists to support the creation of a standardized intake system across all 21 regional centers to facilitate request tracking and ensure cases involving foster youth are accurately identified.
2. GF costs of an unknown amount for additional workload to regional center intake staff to accommodate the reduction in the assessment period for children and youth in foster care, from 120 to 60 days. California has approximately 40,000 children and youth in foster care. Recent data indicates approximately 3% of foster youth (1,170 individuals for FY 2023-24) are referred to DDS for evaluation. Additionally, there may be costs due to the time necessary to obtain educational and medical records for foster children who frequently move between homes, which sometimes results in gaps in record retention and inconsistent information.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. [This bill] removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth.

[This bill] will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability, and support family reunification for system-involved families.

1. Background. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act, provides entitlement to services and supports for individuals ages three and older who have a qualifying developmental disability, including autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and other conditions closely related to intellectual disabilities that require similar treatment. To qualify, an individual must have a disability that is substantial, began before the age of 18, and is expected to be lifelong. There are no income-related eligibility criteria. Direct responsibility for implementation of the Lanterman Act’s service system is shared by DDS, a statewide network of 21 regional centers which are private, community-based nonprofit entities, that contract with DDS to carry out many of the state’s responsibilities. The 21 regional centers serve over 450,000 individuals, referred to as “consumers,” statewide.

Regional centers diagnose and assess eligibility, and coordinate and monitor the services and supports needed because of a developmental disability. Any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of becoming the parent of a developmentally disabled infant, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services.

Existing law requires the initial intake take place within 15 days following a request for assistance and requires a regional center, by the end of that 15-day period, to either determine if the individual is eligible for regional center services or determine if additional assessment is needed. If assessment is needed, existing law requires the regional center to perform the assessment within 120 days following the intake. A regional center must conduct the assessment as soon as possible and within 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment.

This timeline is conditioned upon the recipient of the release of information for tests performed by other professionals such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.

This bill adds foster youth to the group of individuals that must be assessed within 60 days and specifies that eligibility determination timelines must be met regardless of receiving the documentation described above.

California does not track how many foster youth have an I/DD. Advocates report anywhere from 30% to 80% of foster youth have developmental delay. A 2019 study found, “Children with [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] were between two and three times more likely to experience maltreatment. All groups were more likely to experience physical neglect, and children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only groups were more likely to experience all forms of abuse.”

The bill also requires DDS to track and post annual statewide data regarding the number of intakes and assessments by regional center with separate breakouts for foster children.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 29, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Alex Lee, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1099 (

Author:Bryan) – As Amended Ver:April 22, 2025

SUBJECT: Developmental services: initial intake: assessment

SUMMARY: Revises the existing requirements for initial intake and assessments at regional centers for persons believed to have a developmental disability. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes an initial intake to include a determination that the person is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services.
2. Prohibits a decision to not to provide an assessment from being solely based on either: the lack of documentation, including, but not limited to, school, medical, or court records, provided by the person requesting assistance or, if appropriate, by the person’s parents, legal guardian or conservator, or authorized representative, or age of the person when they received a diagnosis of a qualifying condition, as long as the qualifying condition originated before the person was 18 years of age, as determined through the assessment process.
3. Requires the regional center, for initial intakes involving a foster child who has not been determined to be eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services by the end of the 15-working-day initial intake period, to conduct the assessment.
4. Requires the regional center by the end of the 15-day initial intake period to determine if the foster child is eligible or provisionally eligible for regional center services or refer the foster child for the assessment.
5. Requires a regional center to give adequate notice, as specified, if it determines that an individual is not provisionally eligible for regional center services.
6. Adds when a client is a foster child to the list of circumstances when an assessment must be performed as soon as possible and no more than 60 days following the initial intake.
7. Removes existing law that made an assessment conditional upon receipt of the release of information, as specified, and instead authorizes the receipt of the release of information for the assessment, requires the regional center to assist in collecting and procuring this documentation to ensure that assessment is conducted as soon as possible. Requires the assessment to be conducted within the timelines as specified irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses that documentation.
8. Requires the regional center to make its determination within the timelines specified, irrespective of whether the person, or a person acting on their behalf, possesses that documentation of valuations and tests, including, but not limited to, intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.
9. Adds an authorized representative to the list of people who must provide copies of health benefit cards under which the consumer is eligible to receive health benefits. Adds conservators and authorized representatives to the list of people that the regional center and cannot use the lack of benefits to negatively impact the services. Prohibits a regional center from requiring an individual to use their health benefits before it conducts an assessment.
10. Requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to annually post on its website the following statewide data, by regional center, and on a statewide-aggregated basis:
    1. The number of initial intakes, and, separately, the number of initial intakes involving foster children, received by regional centers;
    2. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children, that resulted in eligibility and provisional eligibility determinations, respectively, during the initial intake period;
    3. The percentage of initial intakes, and, separately, the percentage of initial intakes involving foster children that occurred more than 15 working days following a request for assistance;
    4. The number of assessments conducted by regional centers and the percentage of cases that resulted in an assessment after the initial intake;
    5. The total number of individuals, and, separately, the total number of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment within 60 days following initial intake;
    6. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, who qualified for an expedited assessment following initial intake but whose assessment occurred more than 60 days following initial intake;
    7. The percentage of assessments that occurred more than 120 days following initial intake;
    8. The percentage of individuals, and, separately, the percentage of foster children, whose applications for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act took longer than the 45-day timeline;.
    9. The average number of days that elapsed between a request for assistance and an initial intake for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an initial intake.
       
    10. The average number of days that elapsed between an initial intake and an assessment for applicants, and, separately, for foster children applicants, who received an assessment following initial intake; and,
    11. The age, race or ethnicity, and preferred language for all of the following:
        1. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied an initial intake following a request for assistance;
        2. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who were denied eligibility for services;
        3. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who, following an assessment, were denied eligibility for services under the California Early Intervention Services Act; and,
        4. Individuals, and, separately, foster children, who challenged an initial intake denial or eligibility denial through the appeals process or a mediation conference or due process hearing, as applicable.
11. Defines a foster child, for the purposes of the above provision, as:
    1. A child who has been removed from their home by a county child welfare services agency;
    2. A child who is the subject of a juvenile court petition filed, as specified, whether or not the child has been removed from their home;
    3. A dependent child of the court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization who is the subject of a petition filed in the tribal court pursuant to the tribal court’s jurisdiction in accordance with the tribe’s law;
    4. A child who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement; or,
    5. A nonminor dependent.
12. Defines “request for assistance,” for the purposes of the above provision, as any initial contact or inquiry from an individual, or a person acting on their behalf, on the nature of services or supports available or provided by the regional center, or the individual’s possible eligibility to receive them based on a potential developmental concern or disability.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), which states that California is responsible for providing a range of services and supports sufficiently complete to meet the needs and choices of each person with developmental disabilities, regardless of age or degree of disability, and at each stage of life, and to support their integration into the mainstream life of the community. (Welfare and Institutions Code [WIC] § 4500 et seq.)
2. Establishes a system of nonprofit regional centers, overseen by DDS to provide fixed points of contact in the community for all persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to coordinate services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime. (WIC § 4620)
3. Defines developmental disability as a disability that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. As defined by the Director of DDS, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, this term shall include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with an intellectual disability, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature. (WIC § 4512(a)(1))
4. Establishes that a child who is under five years of age is provisionally eligible for regional center services if the child has a disability that is not solely physical in nature and has significant functional limitations in at least two of the following areas of major life activity, as determined by a regional center and as appropriate to the age of the child:
5. Self-care;
6. Receptive and expressive language;
7. Learning;
8. Mobility; and,
9. Self-direction. (WIC § 4512(a)(2))
10. Requires, if assessment is needed, the assessment to be performed within 120 days following initial intake. Further specifies that the assessment must be performed as soon as possible and in no event more than 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. Assessment may include collection and review of available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels and service needs and is conditional upon receipt of the release of information. (WIC § 4643)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown, this bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS:

Background: Initial Intake and Assessment Process. Regional centers provide diagnosis and assessment of eligibility and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. However, prior to becoming a consumer, an individual must go through the intake process. Any person believed to have a developmental disability, and any person believed to have a high risk of becoming the parent of a developmentally disabled infant, is eligible for initial intake and assessment services. To start the intake process, regional centers require an application and request any applicable documentation that might help determine the child's developmental needs. The intake also includes an interview with a regional center coordinator. Following the initial intake, the regional center determines if an assessment is appropriate. If a regional center makes the decision not to provide an assessment, they must properly notify the individual, parent, or authorized representative so they are aware of the option to appeal the regional center’s decision through the fair hearing process. Current law requires a decision to be made within 15 days.

After the intake, the regional center may conduct an assessment to determine regional center eligibility. The assessment includes intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, and other specialized tests. Regional centers are authorized to ask for supporting documents such as available historical diagnostic data, provision or procurement of necessary tests and evaluations, and summarization of developmental levels.

This assessment is required to be performed within 120 days following the intake. In limited instances, regional centers are required to conduct the assessment within 60 days following initial intake where any delay would expose the client to unnecessary risk to their health and safety or to significant further delay in mental or physical development, or the client would be at imminent risk of placement in a more restrictive environment. This timeline is made conditional upon the recipient of the release of information for tests performed by other professionals such as intelligence tests, adaptive functioning tests, neurological and neuropsychological tests, diagnostic tests performed by a physician, psychiatric tests, and other tests or evaluations.

This bill clarifies that foster youth must be included in the group of individuals that must be assessed within 60 days, not 120 days. This bill also specifies that the timelines must be met regardless of receiving the documentation described above.

A person is considered eligible for services if they have a disability that began before the individual’s 18th birthday, that is expected to continue indefinitely, and present a substantial disability. Qualifying conditions include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

Following eligibility determination, the regional center and the consumer come up with an Individual Program Plan (IPP). IPP meetings are designed to help people with developmental disabilities outline in a person-centered manner a “preferred future” by identifying a preferred place to live, favorite people with whom to socialize, and preferred types of daily activities, including preferred jobs. After an IPP is decided upon, the consumer may begin services. Some of the services and supports provided by the regional centers include:

• Information and referral;
  
• Assessment and diagnosis;
  
• Counseling;
  
• Lifelong individualized planning and service coordination;
  
• Purchase of necessary services included in the individual program plan;
  
• Resource development;
  
• Outreach;
  
• Assistance in finding and using community and other resources;
  
• Advocacy for the protection of legal, civil and service rights;
  
• Early intervention services for at risk infants and their families;
  
• Genetic counseling;
  
• Family support;
  
• Planning, placement, and monitoring for 24-hour out-of-home care;
  
• Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families; and,
  
• Community education about developmental disabilities.

Foster Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). California does not track how many foster youth have I/DD so it is difficult to pinpoint how many foster youth are impacted by an I/DD. Advocates report that anywhere from 30-80% of foster youth have developmental delay. A 2019 study found that children with I/DD were more likely to experience abuse. According to the study, “Children with [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only were between two and three times more likely to experience maltreatment. All groups were more likely to experience physical neglect, and children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] and ID-only groups were more likely to experience all forms of abuse. Children in the autism spectrum disorder-only group were more likely to experience physical abuse. Maltreated children in the [autism spectrum disorder and I/DD] only groups experienced more cases of physical abuse and neglect, and were victimized by more perpetrators compared to other maltreated youth. Maltreatment was associated with higher likelihood of aggression, hyperactivity, and tantrums for children with autism spectrum disorder.” (McDonnell, et. al, 2019: Child maltreatment in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: results from a population-based sample. J Child Psychol Psychiatry.) This bill requires a report to the Legislature including information on the number of intakes and assessments involving foster youth. This does not address existing foster youth in the system, but it does help to pinpoint how many are entering the system.

The delivery of care to foster youth with I/DD is challenging for several reasons, including difficulty finding placements due to coordination of services and therapy. Additionally, advocates report there is a delay in assessment, which then delays services and further complicates placements. If a foster youth does not have a stable placement and they are still pending an assessment from a regional center and moves to another regional center, then they have to restart the intake. This bill establishes that foster youth must be assessed within 60 days after their initial intake.

Author’s Statement: According to the Author, “For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, getting the supports and training provided by the state’s regional centers in a timely manner is critical to reducing child maltreatment, family disruption and unnecessary institutionalization. Yet, foster youth routinely face significant delay in accessing these services due to the regional center’s overly burdensome application process. [This bill] removes administrative barriers from the process by ensuring that applicants are not denied purely on the basis of a lack of formal diagnosis or documentation, which many system-involved youth lack for reasons beyond their control. Additionally, the bill ensures that the existing expedited 60-day timeline for people who are at risk of a more restrictive placement also applies to foster youth. [This bill] will promote access to critical regional center services for foster youth with I/DD, reduce placement instability, and support family reunification for system-involved families.”

Equity Implications: Given that foster youth often move to multiple placements within a short timeframe, they also require an expedient intake and assessment. Delays can be devastating for a foster youth who is waiting their turn with the regional center and then abruptly required to change placements. Unlike children who reside with their parents, foster youth do not typically have a primary adult that keeps all their documentation that a regional center may request to make a determination. This bill aims to create equitable access for foster youth so they can access services and supports like their peers.

RELATED AND PRIOR LEGISLATION:

AB 1197 (Alvarado-Gil), Chapter 909, Statutes of 2024, authorized children who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care benefits and regional center services to receive in-home respite services.

AB 1089 (Calderon), Chapter 761, Statutes of 2014, established procedures for the transfer of a regional center consumer who also is placed in foster care from one regional center’s catchment area to another.

AB 649 (Wilson) of 2023, would have permitted regional centers to purchase services that would otherwise be available from other specified means when a consumer or a consumer’s representative chooses not to pursue coverage despite eligibility. AB 649 was held on the Senate Committee on Appropriations suspense file.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Children's Law Center of California (Co-Sponsor)

Disability Rights California (Co-Sponsor)

Public Counsel (Co-Sponsor)

All of US or None Orange County

Bay Area Legal Aid

California Alliance of Caregivers

California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)

California State PTA

Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

Disability Voices United (DVU)

Easterseals Northern California

Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone (FIR4E)

Family Voices of California

Integrated Community Collaborative

Judicial Council of California

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers, INC.

Public Law Center

Special Needs Network, INC.

The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration

Western Center on Law & Poverty, INC.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Alexandria Smith / HUM. S. / (916) 319-2089