SENIOR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL NO. 2

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER ROLFE

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AP 2: PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE USE OF IHSS PROVIDERS IN DECLARED DISASTER SHELTERS TO ASSIST SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

EXISTING LAW PROVIDES FOR THE IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS) PROGRAM, UNDER WHICH QUALIFIED AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED PERSONS RECEIVE SERVICES ENABLING THEM TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN AN INDEPENDENT LIVING ARRANGEMENT. EXISTING LAW DEFINES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO INCLUDE PERSONAL CARE SERVICES, INCLUDING ACCOMPANIMENT BY A PROVIDER WHEN NEEDED DURING NECESSARY TRAVEL TO HEALTH-RELATED APPOINTMENTS.

EXISTING LAW PERMITS SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE IHSS PROGRAM THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUAL PROVIDERS, A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND AN ENTITY FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, THE CREATION BY THE COUNTY OF A PUBLIC AUTHORITY, OR A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND A NONPROFIT CONSORTIUM. COUNTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD FUND IHSS PROGRAM PROVIDERS TO ASSIST EVACUATED SENIORS AND DISABLED PERSONS WITH MINIMAL MEDICAL NEEDS FOR UP TO 10 HOURS PER WEEK PER EACH QUALIFIED PERSON SO THAT THE QUALIFIED PERSON CAN UTILIZE EMERGENCY SHELTERS.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

AP 2: RELATING TO THE USE OF IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN DECLARED DISASTER SHELTERS

WHEREAS, IN EITHER A FEDERAL OR STATE DISASTER THAT REQUIRES GENERAL EVACUATION, SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MAY HAVE SPECIALIZED NEEDS THAT DIFFER FROM THE TYPICAL EVACUATION SHELTER RESIDENT; AND

WHEREAS, IN A DISASTER, SHELTER STAFF TYPICALLY WILL BE UNDER GREAT DEMAND FROM ABLE-BODIED EVACUEES AND HAVE NO TIME TO ATTEND TO THE SPECIALIZED NEEDS OF SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; AND

WHEREAS, IN ORDER TO MEET THEIR SPECIALIZED NEEDS WITHOUT INDIVIDUALIZED SHELTER STAFF ASSISTANCE, SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES MAY BE EVACUATED TO “SPECIAL NEEDS” SHELTERS OR INDIVIDUAL MOTELS OR HOTELS; AND

WHEREAS, “SPECIAL NEEDS” SHELTERS ARE EXPENSIVE, ARE DUPLICATIVE OF SERVICES PROVIDED AT EMERGENCY SHELTERS, AND ARE USUALLY DESIGNED FOR PERSONS WITH GREATER THAN MINIMAL MEDICAL NEEDS; AND

WHEREAS, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THROUGH ITS IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS) PROGRAM, HAS A KNOWLEDGEABLE WORKFORCE THAT CAN RESPOND TO THE SPECIALIZED NEEDS OF SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN A DISASTER; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY AND THE SENIOR SENATE, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2009 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT LEGISLATION BE ENACTED THAT WOULD FUND IHSS PROVIDERS TO ASSIST SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOR UP TO 10 HOURS PER WEEK PER EACH QUALIFIED PERSON TO UTILIZE GENERALIZED SHELTER SERVICES IN A DECLARED DISASTER; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN 09 16487

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