Welfare and Institutions Code section 4581
(a)
The Secretary of California Health and Human Services, in coordination with the State Department of Developmental Services, shall lead the development and implementation of the Master Plan for Developmental Services referenced in Governor Gavin Newsom’s January 2024 Budget proposal and in the subsequent proclamation by the Governor that declared March 2024 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.(b)
Other state entities that interact with the State Department of Developmental Services shall be included in discussions with the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee, as applicable. These entities shall include, but not be limited to, the State Department of Health Care Services, the State Department of Social Services, the Department of Rehabilitation, the California Department of Aging, the State Department of Education, and the agencies listed in subdivision (g).(c)
The Secretary of California Health and Human Services shall solicit input through the committee, or through other means, from individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, professionals in the developmental services field, and a broad range of subject matter experts on topics that may include, but are not limited to, regional center board accountability and transparency and the evaluation of regional centers, including performance, equity, and diversity.(d)
When the California Health and Human Services Agency convenes meetings of the master plan committee, the information and materials about the work of the master plan committee shall be posted on the California Health and Human Services Agency’s internet website in a timely manner.(e)
By March 15, 2025, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services shall submit an initial report to the Governor and the Legislature that summarizes the recommended components of the master plan resulting from the master plan committee advisory process, the community roundtable discussions, and the public comment received.(f)
The Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee shall meet at least two times each year, commencing in 2025 and ending on March 15, 2036, or when the final master plan implementation update is submitted, whichever date is later.(g)
The secretary and the director shall work with other state agencies and departments, as necessary, to identify policies, efficiencies, and strategies necessary to implement the master plan, which may include any of the following:(1)
The California Health and Human Services Agency.(2)
The Government Operations Agency.(3)
The State Department of Education.(4)
The Labor and Workforce Development Agency.(5)
The Transportation Agency.(6)
The Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.(7)
The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.(8)
The office of the Treasurer.(h)
The workgroup shall solicit input from stakeholders and gather information on the experiences of Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the implementation process of the master plan.(i)
(1)By March 15, 2026, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the department shall provide an initial report on implementation of any master plan recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature that includes all of the following information:(A)
The administration’s high-level priorities for the developmental services system through the 2027–28 fiscal year in light of the broad themes identified in the master plan’s recommendations.(B)
A listing of the specific master plan recommendations that the administration considers to be feasible and likely to advance as near-term priorities. For each recommendation, all of the following shall be noted:(i)
Whether the recommendation may require an appropriation of additional funding.(ii)
Whether statutory changes may be required.(C)
The existing or newly created workgroups to which each of the master plan’s recommendations is related. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide information for individuals served, their families, stakeholders, and the general public to more clearly track progress on implementing recommendations.(D)
Budget change proposals in the Governor’s Budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year that tie to master plan recommendations.(2)
(A)Following the initial report to be submitted by March 15, 2026, the California Health and Human Services Agency and the department shall submit master plan recommendation updates to the Governor and the Legislature annually beginning March 15, 2027, through March 15, 2036, inclusive. The updates shall include, but are not limited to, identification of any statutory changes as well as additional funding requirements considered necessary to effectively implement recommendations from the plan and identification of recommendations that have been implemented.(B)
The updates shall also include a narrative summary of the Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee meetings that will occur at least two times per year pursuant to subdivision (f), including themes identified in public comment provided at these meetings. As part of these summaries, Master Plan for Developmental Services Committee members shall have the option to submit written commentary on the degree to which progress is made on the master plan’s recommendations, as well as any suggestions for ongoing implementation of master plan recommendations.(j)
For any State Department of Developmental Services budget change proposal submitted through 2035, the department shall include a narrative description of how the proposal addresses any recommendations included in the Master Plan for Developmental Services, if applicable.(k)
Any funding needed to support program enhancements proposed in the master plan is subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for those purposes.
Source:
Section 4581, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC§ionNum=4581. (updated Jun. 27, 2025; accessed Sep. 1, 2025).