SB 188 Summary

• Establishes partnership between State Department of Developmental Services, Department of General Services, and City of Costa Mesa for expedited planning and disposition of Fairview Developmental Center property, with $3.5 million allocated to the city; prioritizes affordable housing including at least 200 units of permanent supportive housing.

• Expands early intervention services eligibility by splitting communication development into expressive and receptive categories, reduces developmental delay threshold from 33% to 25%, clarifies fetal alcohol syndrome as established risk condition, and requires enhanced transition coordination from Part C to Part B services.

• Accelerates rate increases for service providers with full implementation of funded rate models by July 1, 2024; requires providers to maintain wage and benefit standards for direct care staff and establishes quality incentive program tied to federal home and community-based services compliance.

• Comprehensively revises appeals procedures by establishing three-stage process (informal meeting, mediation, fair hearing) with specified timelines, notice requirements, and decision-making authority; creates advisory committee for hearing office operations and makes final decisions publicly available.

• Establishes developmental services workforce stabilization programs including training stipends for direct support professionals, entry-level training and internship programs, and tuition reimbursement for regional center employees; suspends family cost participation and annual family program fee assessments from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.