Portantino/Wilk Bill to Expand Critical Services for Young Disabled Californians Passes Senate Human Services Committee
For Immediate Release: March 30, 2022
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Portantino/Wilk Bill to Expand Critical Services for Young Disabled Californians Passes Senate Human Services Committee
Sacramento, CA - Senate Bill 870, a measure introduced by Senators Anthony J. Portantino and Scott Wilk, seeks to increases the “age of onset” definition of a developmental disability to twenty-two. In addition, it expands supportive services and programs for those 18-21 who are developmentally disabled. SB 870 passed the Senate Human Services Committee.
“It has long been established that brain development continues beyond 18 years of age. California has been an outlier on this and should appropriately update the age of onset definition to 22 years of age to match neuroscience. Once we do, many qualified individuals will become eligible for needed supportive services,” stated Senator Portantino. “Our outdated definition has denied young disabled Californians critical support and medically necessary programs for far too long and SB 870 aims to fix that.”
Unanimous findings of countless scientific studies, most notably by the National Institute of Health, has long established the medical fact that the brain does not complete its development at age 18, but continues to at least the age of twenty-two. In 1978, the federal government changed its “age of on-set” definition of developmental disability to age 22 in 1978, and 38 states followed by raising their “age of onset” threshold to age 22 as well.
"When I think of young brain injury victims and their families just beginning their journey, my heart goes out. I know the uncertain road before them and their critical need for support,” stated Jim O’Hara, a father who brought the issue to Senator Portantino. “That early support and treatment can make the difference between getting their loved one back or spending the rest of their lives in a nursing home. It's been said that one measure of a nation's greatness is how it treats its weakest citizens. When they're unable to advocate for themselves, we are the stewards of their rights."
California is one of only twelve states still 44 years behind on this issue. As a result, many young disabled Californians are being unfairly excluded from regional center support services, thereby increasing their suffering, reducing their potential levels of self-sufficiency, and ultimately increasing costs to the State in the long run.
“I am happy that this measure passed its first policy committee hearing with bipartisan support. California needs to keep up with the science and this important legislation can be a life-changing opportunity for young adults who have develop intellectual disabilities and need proper services to help them to thrive in our communities,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk.
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