Senate committee backs Kim Rutledge to lead Department of Rehabilitation

The California State Senate Rules Committee voted to approve Kim Rutledge as director of the Department of Rehabilitation after a confirmation hearing that focused on the department—s implementation of Senate Bill 639, disaster response for people with disabilities and programs to move Californians with disabilities into competitive employment.

Rutledge told the committee she was honored to lead "the largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs in the nation" and thanked Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary Johnson for her appointment. She traced her path from vocational rehabilitation services in high school to a 10-year career in journalism and later work in disability policy that led to the nomination. "I am proud of the work the Department of Rehabilitation does every day," Rutledge said.

Committee members pressed Rutledge for updates on SB 639, the 2024 law that ended subminimum wage for people with developmental disabilities effective Jan. 1, 2025. Rutledge said the department has worked closely with the Department of Developmental Services and, to a lesser degree, the Department of Education to transition…