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 people into competitive integrated employment, defined by the department as "real work for real pay in a community setting." She reported the department has moved 1,973 people into Department of Rehabilitation services aimed at employment supports and said 818 people who had been in sheltered workshops have obtained competitive integrated employment. For fiscal year 2023-24, Rutledge said 761 individuals received a total of 2,217 career counseling and information referrals.

Rutledge described several department initiatives intended to expand employment opportunities: a college-to-career program begun at eight community colleges in partnership with the UCLA Tarjan Center and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office; a statewide network of business specialists in the department—s roughly 80 field offices; and small-business grants previously used to help about 75 employers adapt workplaces and train staff to hire people with disabilities.

Senators also raised concerns about disasters after the Los Angeles fires. Rutledge described challenges for evacuees with disabilities, including limited accessible ride services and redirected paratransit vehicles, and said independent living centers and department staff worked with shelters to provide equipment and personal care assistance. She said the department is coordinating lessons learned with Cal OES, the Independent Living Network and Aging and Disability Resource Connections.

Members asked about federal funding uncertainty tied to proposals affecting the U.S. Department of Education and the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Rutledge said the department is monitoring federal proposals; staff have discussed scenarios for moving the RSA to other federal agencies and noted the Department of Labor might be a logical fit given its Office of Disability Employment Policy. She said so far the department has seen only minor fiscal impacts and remains optimistic the vocational rehabilitation program will continue to receive support because it helps people move to employment and reduce reliance on other benefits.

Public witnesses offered broad support for Rutledge—s nomination. Speakers representing the California Association for Adult Day Services, the Statewide Disability Advisory Council, the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, SEIU California and multiple advocacy organizations and family members urged confirmation, citing Rutledge—s experience in independent living, social services and vocational programs.

The committee recorded a roll-call approval on the confirmation motion. A motion to approve Rutledge passed in committee by recorded votes (initial committee tally recorded as 4-0 with one member to be added on call; later recorded as 5-0). The committee put the nomination "on call" pending the remaining senator's vote and subsequently reported a 5-0 committee approval. The nomination will next move to the full Senate floor for a final vote.

Rutledge—s hearing included detailed program numbers and specific partnerships; the committee directed no further action other than the confirmation vote and did not adopt additional requirements or conditions in the hearing record.

The committee hearing record documents the department—s current workload and priorities and provides an early public accounting of SB 639 implementation and disaster-response lessons for people with disabilities.