Bill Text: CA AB1287 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 1287 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Universal assessments: No Wrong Door system.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-12 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 825, Statutes of 2019. [AB1287 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB1287-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 1287

CHAPTER 825

An act to add Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 9800) to Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.

[ Approved by Governor October 12, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State October 12, 2019. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1287, Nazarian. Universal assessments: No Wrong Door system.

Existing law, including, among others, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, provides various programs to assist older adults and people with disabilities. These programs include the Aging and Disability Resource Connection program established to provide information to consumers and their families on available long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs and to assist older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities in accessing LTSS programs at the local level.

By executive order, the Governor ordered that a master plan for aging be developed and issued to serve as a blueprint to implement strategies and partnerships that promote healthy aging and prepare the state for upcoming demographic changes.

This bill would require the master plan for aging developed pursuant to that executive order to consider the efficacy of utilizing a No Wrong Door System. The bill would specify the purpose of the No Wrong Door system as assisting older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in obtaining accurate information and timely referrals to appropriate community services and supports.

The bill would also require that master plan for aging to consider the efficacy of using a universal tool and process that is capable of assessing individual need and determining initial eligibility for programs and services available in the long-term services and supports delivery network.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) The Public Policy Institute of California estimates that by the year 2030, California’s population of people over 65 years of age will nearly double, increasing by four million people, all the while becoming more racially and economically diverse.

(b) Many older adults and people with disabilities struggle to access the long-term services and supports necessary to meet individual needs and preferences. The problem is multifaceted, stemming from a number of factors, including system fragmentation at the state and local levels, lack of access to information and assistance, and an infrastructure that is unable to keep pace with population needs.

(c) One of the primary challenges faced by older adults, people with disabilities, and their families relates to finding and accessing services. Individuals struggle to navigate the system and do not know where to look for unbiased information and education.

(d) California’s home- and community-based long-term services and supports programs operate with separate eligibility determination and assessment processes, creating inefficiencies in the administration of programs and difficulties for people who need to access programs and services.

(e) A universal assessment process could enable individuals to be evaluated in a consistent manner and provided with services that are tailored to meet needs and preferences in an equitable manner. At the state level, the data generated could enable program planners to understand the needs of the population, support allocation of resources in a standardized way, and evaluate quality.

SEC. 2.

Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 9800) is added to Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

CHAPTER 13. No Wrong Door System

9800.

(a) The master plan for aging established pursuant to Executive Order N-14-19 shall consider the efficacy of utilizing a No Wrong Door System.

(b) The purpose of the No Wrong Door System shall be to assist older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers obtain accurate information and timely referrals to appropriate community services and supports.

9805.

(a) The master plan for aging established pursuant to Executive Order N-14-19 shall consider the efficacy of utilizing a universal tool and process to streamline access to services through a coordinated assessment process. In considering the tool and process, the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee shall seek input from stakeholders, including, but not limited to, consumers, providers, and advocates.

(b) The assessment tool and process should be capable of assessing individual need and determining initial eligibility for programs and services available in the long-term services and supports delivery network.