Habilitation services.

Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez proposes modifying California's developmental services framework by replacing external accreditation requirements with state-developed standards for work activity and supported employment programs. The legislation amends the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act to remove the mandate that these programs comply with CARF (Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) standards.

Under the revised framework, regional centers would evaluate program effectiveness using service standards established through Department of Developmental Services regulations rather than CARF benchmarks. The bill maintains existing enforcement mechanisms, allowing regional centers to impose sanctions on non-compliant providers, including referral moratoriums, corrective action plans, consumer removal, and vendor termination. Providers retain their rights to administrative review or formal hearings when facing certain sanctions.

The amendments preserve core program definitions and reporting requirements while shifting compliance oversight from an external accreditation body to state-developed criteria. Regional centers retain authority to approve new work activity or supported employment programs based on their capacity to deliver services effectively and meet departmental standards. The legislation requires no new appropriations and maintains existing consumer protection measures, including requirements for releasing licensing and incident reports to the Department of Rehabilitation in cases of suspected abuse.