AB 617: Developmental services: personal care or assistance and in-home respite services.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities through various programs, including personal care or personal assistance services and in-home respite services. Existing law requires the Director of Developmental Services to develop program standards for in-home respite services purchased by regional centers from agencies vendored to provide these services.

Existing law establishes the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, which provides for the licensure and regulation of home care organizations by the State Department of Social Services, and for the registration of home care aides who provide home care services, as defined, on the home care aide registry. Existing law exempts from these provisions an organization vendored or contracted through a regional center or the State Department of Developmental Services pursuant to the Lanterman Act to provide services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities, as specified. A violation of the act is a misdemeanor.

This bill would require, prior to providing personal care or personal assistance services or in-home respite services to a consumer receiving services under the Lanterman Act, an organization vendored or contracted through a regional center or the department to provide personal care or personal assistance services or in-home respite services to a consumer receiving services under the Lanterman Act to be licensed as a home care organization, and an individual who is employed by such an organization to be listed on the home care aide registry, as specified. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. May 23, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
4. May 14, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
5. April 30, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. April 10, 2025Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
7. March 24, 2025Re-referred to Com. on AGING & L.T.C.
8. March 20, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on AGING & L.T.C. Read second time and amended.
9. March 3, 2025Referred to Com. on AGING & L.T.C.
10. February 14, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
11. February 13, 2025Read first time. To print.