AB 435 Summary

• Requires regional center contracts to include provisions allowing staff, consumers, and providers to report improper regional center activities confidentially directly to the Department of Developmental Services, with notices required by July 1, 2011.

• Defines "improper regional center activity" as actions violating state or federal law (including corruption, fraud, theft, or misconduct) or involving gross incompetence undertaken in official duties.

• Establishes criminal penalties (misdemeanor with up to $10,000 fine and/or one year county jail) and civil liability for retaliation against regional center employees who make protected disclosures about improper activities.

• Allows regional center employees to file sworn complaints with the department alleging reprisal, retaliation, threats, or coercion, with injured parties entitled to damages and attorney's fees in successful civil actions.

• Permits release of confidential client information to the department for investigations authorized under the bill, and takes effect immediately as an urgency statute.