Senate Human Services Committee approves Sonoma Developmental Center 'last resort' bill

A State Senate bill, introduced by Senator Noreen Evans (District 2), which would establish Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) as the final refuge for the developmentally disabled in Northern California, cleared the Senate's Human Services Committee on Tuesday. SB 1344 is intended to forestall the loss of services for the disabled community as California's remaining centers downsize and close -- and to protect the open space and wildlife habitat represented by the SDC property.

SB 1344 SUMMARY

This bill would require the state to establish the Sonoma Developmental Center as the center of last resort for Northern California. The bill would require the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to confer and cooperate with the County of Sonoma to develop a detailed action plan, as specified, prior to establishing the Sonoma Developmental Center as a center of last resort and would require the County of Sonoma to ensure the inclusion and participation of certain community entities, including consumers living in the developmental center. By imposing additional duties on the County of Sonoma, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Read the bill analysis here: SB 1344 Senate Bill.