Human Services Committee advances bills on aging, childcare, respite care, regional center transparency and re‑unification

The Assembly Human Services Committee on an in‑person hearing advanced a slate of bills on aging, childcare, respite care, developmental‑disability services and family reunification, sending most measures to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further review.

The committee aired substantive debate and public testimony on several measures. Assemblymember Dr. Jackson presented AB 450, which would create a Department of Aging task force to develop policy recommendations supporting undocumented adults aged 55 and older and to integrate findings into the state's 2028 Master Plan for Aging. Supporters highlighted demographic data and tax contributions cited in the bill; witnesses representing immigrant and legal‑aid groups registered support. "This bill is a modest but meaningful first step," Dr. Jackson said when presenting the measure.

Childcare measures drew broad support: AB 904, authored by Assemblymember Aguirre‑Curry, would clarify eligibility so families do not lose subsidized care during transitional periods (for example, maternity leave or job searches). Heidi Kaiser of Child Action, a long‑time enrollment organization, said AB 904 would reduce paperwork and keep children connected to care during those gaps. AB 752, advanced by Assemblymember Avila Farias, would allow day‑care centers located with multifamily housing or certain institutional uses to be treated as a use by right in residential zones, a change sponsors said would accelerate colocated childcare in affordable housing developments.

Respite care reform — AB 617, introduced by Assemblymember McKenna — prompted the most contested testimony. The bill would require in‑home respite providers who serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities under regional center contracts to be licensed by the Department of Social Services and to appear on the state's home care registry. Proponents, including caregiver leaders and SEIU, said licensing and registry listing would increase transparency and help families find qualified providers. "Providing long‑term care to young men with autism can be exhausting, which is why respite care is extremely important to my family," testified Daphne Dunstan, an…