This assembly bill was introduced by Assembly Member Arambula on February 13, 2024. Current legislation, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, mandates the State Department of Developmental Services to partner with regional centers for providing services and assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The law defines "services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities" as specialized services and adaptations of generic services aimed at addressing developmental disabilities or aiding in the social, personal, physical, or economic habilitation or rehabilitation of individuals with developmental disabilities, with the goal of fostering an independent, productive, and typical life. Specialized medical and dental care are also considered part of this definition.
This bill proposes that the State Department of Developmental Services should collaborate with California North State University (CNU) to create a statewide program based in the state's regional centers. The program aims to enhance the delivery of dental care services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, specifically to prevent or minimize the need for sedation and general anesthesia during dental treatment for consumers of developmental services. The bill requires the program to establish an Oral Health for People with Disabilities Technical Assistance Center at CNU. Among other responsibilities, the center must provide practical experience, develop systems, and offer expertise in relevant areas, as well as train, supervise, and support regional center and oral health personnel. It must also gather and analyze program data with the assistance of participating regional centers and oral health providers. The bill mandates the department to submit an annual report of the data collected to the Legislature. Additionally, the bill outlines duties for regional centers, such as identifying consumers who could benefit from the program and forming vendor agreements with interested oral health professionals. Department responsibilities include providing guidance, establishing protocols to support the program, and creating procedures for regional center directors to participate in the program. The bill also allows the center to aggregate and publish deidentified results data, as specified. Legislative findings and declarations in the bill underscore the need for a special statute to ensure timely, safe, and adequate dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities.