(a) The department shall seek to modify the contract in existence on January 1, 2017, for the conduct of a movers longitudinal study to include all of the following:

(1) A requirement that at least 250 individuals who meet the following criteria participate in the study:

(A) Volunteered to participate in the study.

(B) Proportionately selected from among individuals who have moved into the community from Sonoma Developmental Center, Fairview Developmental Center, or Porterville Developmental Center.

(C) Proportionately selected from among individuals who have moved into the community at different stages of the closure process.

(2) A requirement that the study follow a sample of individuals described in paragraph (1) for a two-year period after the individual moves into the community from the developmental center.

(3) A requirement that the study include individuals who move into the community from a developmental center during the first year of the study, and during each subsequent year of the study, until the developmental centers identified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) close.

(4) A requirement that researchers conducting the study meet with each individual participating in the study at intervals of three months, six months, one year, and two years following the person’s move into the community from the developmental center to discuss the individual’s quality of life and services and supports.

(b) The movers longitudinal study described in this section is one element of the quality assurance instrument required pursuant to Section 4571.

(c) (1) For purposes of conducting the study, the department shall maintain and update the addresses of, and contact information for, former residents of the centers who relocated as a result of the closure of the centers.

(2) The department shall ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that researchers conducting the study have access to data and other information necessary to conduct the study, including the addresses of, and contact information for, former residents of the centers who relocated due to the closure of the centers.

(d) The department shall annually submit interim reports to the Legislature regarding the study in accordance with the requirements of Section 9795 of the Government Code. The reports shall include information about consumer and family satisfaction and adequacy of community services. Upon the completion of the study as described in subdivision (a), the department shall submit the study to the Legislature, in accordance with the requirements of Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 586, Sec. 2. (SB 982) Effective January 1, 2017.)