CA AB813

Requires each regional center to establish a dispute resolution program to hear and decide disputes between the regional center and consumers regarding service provision and eligibility for services.

Establishes a Developmental Disabilities Dispute Resolution Advisory Council with 7 members (including the Chair of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, 4 Governor appointees, 1 Senate appointee, and 1 Assembly appointee) to adopt rules and standards for the dispute resolution programs.

Requires regional centers to inform consumers in writing about the dispute resolution program's availability, purpose, costs, fee waivers for indigent consumers, the right to appeal outcomes, and other legal processes for contesting decisions.

Authorizes the State Department of Developmental Services to establish a grant program to fund regional centers in establishing and operating dispute resolution programs, which may be operated jointly with other regional centers.

Specifies that mediation and conciliation proceedings are subject to the Evidence Code's confidentiality protections, arbitration proceedings must comply with the Code of Civil Procedure, and consumers retain the right to withdraw from dispute resolution and seek judicial or administrative redress, with statute of limitations tolled during the process.