DAS advisory and legislative update highlights broadband and health-related bills affecting older adults

Advisory Council President Diane Lawrence and DAS legislative staff used the commission meeting to summarize state bills that could affect services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Lawrence said the advisory council is tracking three broadband-related bills out of a session that includes roughly 36 broadband measures. She highlighted AB 14, which would require recommendations and model land-use rules by June 30, 2022 to support broadband buildout and direct the California Public Utilities Commission to prioritize last‑mile projects for underserved households and authorize funding via the California Advanced Services Fund.

Staff presented two additional broadband bills: AB 665, which would add basic Internet services (including at least one video-conferencing-capable connection) into rights for residents of residential care facilities for the elderly; and AB 1176, part of a California Connect Fund proposal with phased implementation and reporting requirements intended to make high-speed broadband available to every household.

Legislative staff also described health and aging bills of interest: SB 221 would require timely access to specialists for ongoing mental-health or substance-use treatment; SB 441 would expand geriatric-care training and propose loan-repayment incentives for geriatricians in shortage areas; SB 460 would strengthen long-term health facility procedures for identifying surrogate decision-makers and require documentation of lack of capacity in medical records. Other bills discussed cover guardianship procedures and IHSS provider record retention.

Council and staff said DAS will continue to monitor these bills, identify reporting deadlines and funding sources, and notify commissioners and community partners when advocacy or implementation actions are required.