Advocates tell Little Hoover Commission reforms stalled after vetoes; call to expand self-determination
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Summary
Advocates described stalled legislative reforms (referencing AB 1147 and trailer-bill actions), inconsistent IPP implementation, and urged expansion of the Self-Determination Program and stronger DDS oversight to address racial and operational disparities.
Judy Mark, president of Disability Voices United, told the Little Hoover Commission that reforms intended to increase equity and accountability in California'9s developmental services system were weakened in the legislative process and by administrative inertia. Mark referenced AB 1147 (identified in testimony as the Disability Equity Transparency and Accountability Act) and said "fierce opposition stripped it of many of its most meaningful reforms." She added that although a provision subjecting regional centers to the Public Records Act took effect recently, many promised accountability measures have not been fully implemented.
"Stop losing opportunities for progress," Mark said, urging the commission to press for oversight with consequences. She described the new statewide IPP template as a good form that has been inconsistently implemented: "A good form does not equal good planning," she said, noting training gaps for service coordinators and families.
Mark and other advocates also pressed for broader access to the Self-Determination Program (SDP). She described SDP as life-changing for participants who can design flexible supports; but she noted only about 8,200 people are enrolled in SDP out of roughly 500,000 people served by the regional centers. Mark said trailer-bill provisions and other rollout delays mean many accountability measures will not be required until 2027 and called for higher-priority leadership for the SDP within DDS.
Commissioners and other witnesses discussed why bills were vetoed and who influenced the governor'9s decisions; Judy Mark said she and her organization were not contacted by the governor'9s office before the veto and urged the department and legislature to ensure that the master plan and statutory changes translate into enforceable action.
The hearing recorded both advocates'9 calls for expansion and accountability and technical concerns about implementation timelines and agency capacity. DDS and ARCA representatives acknowledged gaps but said trailer-bill language and agency directives are beginning to standardize processes; advocates indicated those changes are incomplete and pleaded for stronger enforcement and clearer public access to case-level information.