(a) A State Council on Developmental Disabilities with authority independent of any single state service agency is hereby created.

(b) The Legislature finds that in each of the 56 states and territories, the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-402 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 15001 et seq.)) establishes State Councils on Developmental Disabilities that work to promote the core values of the act, including self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all aspects of community life.

(c) The Legislature finds that California’s State Council on Developmental Disabilities was established pursuant to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the policy contained in federal law and contribute to a coordinated, consumer- and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed, comprehensive system that includes the provision of needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It is the intent of the Legislature that the state council independently exercise its authority and responsibilities under federal law, expend its federal funding allocation, and exercise all powers and duties that may be necessary to carry out the purposes contained in applicable federal law.

(d) The Legislature finds that the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 requires the council to promote certain principles that include all of the following:

(1) Individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with the most severe developmental disabilities, are capable of self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, but often require the provision of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance.

(2) Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have competencies, capabilities, and personal goals that should be recognized, supported, and encouraged, and any assistance to these individuals should be provided in an individualized manner, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of these individuals.

(3) Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decisionmakers regarding the services and supports these individuals and their families receive, including choosing where an individual lives from available options, and have decisionmaking roles in policies and programs that affect the lives of these individuals and their families.

(e) (1) The Legislature finds that the state council faces unique challenges in ensuring access and furthering these principles due to the state’s size, diversity, and a service delivery system that promotes significant local control.

(2) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that the state council, consistent with its authority and responsibilities under federal law, ensure that the council is accessible and responsive to the diverse geographic, racial, ethnic, and language needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout California, which in part may, as determined by the state council, be achieved through the establishment of regional offices, the number and location of which may be determined by the state council.

(f) This chapter, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 4561), and Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4900), are intended by the Legislature to secure full compliance with the requirements of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 as amended and extended, which provides federal funds to assist the state in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating services for persons with developmental disabilities and in establishing a system to protect and advocate the legal and civil rights of persons with developmental disabilities.

(g) The state council may use funds and other moneys allocated to the state council in accordance with the purposes of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. This section does not preclude the state council from using moneys other than moneys provided through the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 in any manner consistent with applicable federal and state law.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 575. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)