CA AB1595

Establishes the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as an independent agency with authority to determine its organizational structure and operate regional offices and advisory committees as needed to serve persons with developmental disabilities.

Requires 20 of 31 voting council members to be nonagency members with developmental disabilities or their family members reflecting the state's socioeconomic, geographic, disability, racial, ethnic, and language diversity, with council members limited to two terms of three years each.

Authorizes the council to appoint an authorized representative for persons with developmental disabilities to protect their civil and service rights when they have no parent, guardian, or conservator and request assistance or their rights need protection.

Converts existing "area boards on developmental disabilities" to optional "regional advisory committees" under the council's control, with their composition and operations determined by council policies and procedures rather than state mandate.

Permits the Department of Developmental Services to contract with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to provide clients' rights advocacy services to individuals residing in developmental centers.