ARTICLE 5. Regional Center Rates for Nonresidential Services [4690. - 4694.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 5.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690. Section 4690.

The Director of Developmental Services shall establish, maintain, and revise, as necessary, an equitable process for setting rates of state payment for nonresidential services purchased by regional centers, and may promulgate regulations establishing program standards, or the process to be used for setting these rates, or both, in order to assure that regional centers may secure high-quality services for developmentally disabled persons from individuals or agencies vendored to provide these services. In developing the rates pursuant to regulation, the director may require vendors to submit program, cost, or other information, as necessary. The director shall take into account the rates paid by other agencies and jurisdictions for comparable services in order to assure that regional center rates are at competitive levels. In no event shall rates established pursuant to this article be any less than those established for comparable services under the Medi-Cal program.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.1. Section 4690.1.

(a) By March 1, 1986, the department, in consultation with representatives of regional centers and providers of transportation services to regional center clients, shall develop a cost statement to be used in setting rates for providers of transportation services. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the department may develop alternative procedures for establishing rates for providers of transportation services, including, but not limited to, a noncompetitive process and a competitive process for use by regional centers in which rates of reimbursement are established based on contract bids or proposals.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.2. Section 4690.2.

(a) The Director of Developmental Services shall develop program standards and establish, maintain, and revise, as necessary, an equitable process for setting rates of state payment, based upon those standards, for in-home respite services purchased by regional centers from agencies vendored to provide these services. The Director of Developmental Services may promulgate regulations establishing these standards and the process to be used for setting rates. “In-home respite services” means intermittent or regularly scheduled temporary nonmedical care and supervision provided in the client’s own home, for a regional center client who resides with a family member. These services are designed to do all of the following: (1) Assist family members in maintaining the client at home. (2) Provide appropriate care and supervision to ensure the client’s safety in the absence of family members. (3) Relieve family members from the constantly demanding responsibility of caring for the client. (4) Attend to the client’s basic self-help needs and other activities of daily living including interaction, socialization, and continuation of usual daily routines which would ordinarily be performed by the family members. (b) The provisions of subdivisions (b) to (f), inclusive, of Section 4691 and subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, and subdivision (h) of Section 4691.5 applicable to community-based day programs, shall also apply to in-home respite service vendors for the purpose of establishing standards and an equitable process for setting rates, except: (1) The process specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 4691.5 for increasing rates for fiscal year 1990–91 shall apply only to the administrative portion of the rate for eligible in-home respite service vendors, and the amount of funds available for this increase shall not exceed three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) of the total amount appropriated for rate increases. The administrative portion of the rate shall consist of the in-home respite service vendor’s allowable costs, other than those for respite worker’s salary, wage, benefits, and travel. Vendors eligible for this rate increase shall include only those in-home respite service vendors which received a deficiency adjustment in their permanent or provisional rate for fiscal year 1989–90, as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 4691.5. (2) In addition, a rate increase shall also be provided for fiscal year 1990–91, for the salary, wage, and benefit portion of the rate for in-home respite service vendors eligible for the increase. The amount of funds available for this rate increase is limited to the remaining funds appropriated for this paragraph and paragraph (1) for fiscal year 1990–91. The amount of increase which each eligible in-home respite service vendor shall receive shall be limited to the amount necessary to increase the salary, wage, and benefit portion of the rate for respite workers to five dollars and six cents ($5.06) per hour in salary and wages plus ninety-five cents ($0.95) in benefits. Vendors eligible for this increase shall include only those in-home respite service vendors whose salary, wage, and benefit portion of their existing provisional or permanent rate, as established by the department for respite workers is below the amounts specified in this paragraph, and the vendor agrees to reimburse its respite workers at no less than these amounts during fiscal year 1990–91 and thereafter. In order to establish rates pursuant to this paragraph, existing programs receiving a permanent or provisional rate shall submit to the department, the program, cost, and other information specified by the department for either the 1988 calendar year, or for the 1988–89 fiscal year. The specified information shall be submitted on forms developed by the department, not later than 45 days following receipt of the required forms from the department, after the effective date of this section. Programs which fail to submit the required information within the time specified shall have payment of their permanent or provisional rate suspended until the required information has been submitted. (3) Effective July 1, 1990, and pursuant to the rate methodology developed by the department, the administrative portion and the salary, wage, and benefit portion of the rates for in-home respite service vendors currently receiving a provisional or permanent rate shall be combined and paid as a single rate. (4) Rate increases for fiscal year 1990–91 shall be limited to those specified in paragraphs (1) and (2). For fiscal year 1991–92 and all succeeding fiscal years, the provisions of subdivision (c) of Section 4691, which specify that any rate increases shall be subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds in the Budget Act, shall also apply to rates for in-home respite service vendors. (5) For the 1998–99 fiscal year, an in-home respite service vendor shall receive rate increases pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 4691.5. Any rate increase shall be subject to the appropriation of funds pursuant to the Budget Act. (6) The rate methodology developed by the department may include a supplemental amount of reimbursement for travel costs of respite workers using their private vehicles to and from and between respite sites. The supplemental amount shall be the minimum rate for travel reimbursement for state employees. (c) In accordance with paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 4629.5, each regional center shall include on its Internet Web site the purchase of service policies. For respite services, a regional center shall also include any procedures and assessment tools used by the regional center to determine the level of services needed by each consumer.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.3. Section 4690.3.

(a) For the 1998–99 fiscal year, rates for in-home respite services agencies that are vendored pursuant to Section 4690.2 and the department’s regulations to provide in-home respite services shall be increased based on the amount appropriated in the Budget Act of 1998 for the purpose of increasing the salary, wage, and benefit portion of the rate for in-home respite services workers. Agencies shall reimburse their respite workers at no less than the increased amount in their rate for the 1998–99 fiscal year and thereafter. (b) For the 1998–99 fiscal years an individual who provides in-home respite services, pursuant to vendorization pursuant to the department’s regulations, shall also receive a rate increase pursuant to subdivision (a).

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.4. Section 4690.4.

(a) Sections 4690.2, 4691, and 4691.5, which relate to in-home respite service agencies and community-based day programs, shall apply in the 1998–99 fiscal year with the following exceptions: (1) The 1997–98 fiscal year allowable costs and consumer attendance data submitted to the department by September 30, 1998, shall not be utilized by the department to determine a new mean rate and allowable range of rates, pursuant to regulations, but may be used only in developing a new rate system. (2) The allowable range of rates and mean rate established for the 1997–98 fiscal year shall be continued. (3) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate determined for the same type of program and staff-to-consumer ratio for the 1997–98 fiscal year. (b) The department shall, in consultation with stakeholder organizations, develop performance based consumer outcome rate systems for community-based day programs and in-home respite services. If rates for community-based day programs are increased in the 1998–99 fiscal year pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (e) of Section 4691.5, and rates for in-home respite services are increased in the 1998–99 fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 4690.2, as added by the act adding this section to the Welfare and Institutions Code, then effective September 1, 1998, and until such time as the new rate systems are implemented, or unless funds are otherwise appropriated for rate adjustments, rates shall be frozen.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.5. Section 4690.5.

Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2016, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the rate for family member-provided respite services authorized by the department and in effect on June 30, 2016, and the rates for out-of-home respite services in effect on June 30, 2016, shall be increased by 5 percent. The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all providers.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4690.7. Section 4690.7.

A provider of nonresidential services, as defined in paragraph (49) of subdivision (a) of Section 54302 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, may utilize Alternative Nonresidential Services, as authorized in the department’s Directive 01-083120 (August 31, 2020), if needed, to meet a consumer’s service needs, until December 31, 2022. When providing services to consumers, providers shall be creative, resourceful, and make modifications as needed to how existing services are delivered. Any Alternative Nonresidential Services used shall be responsive to each consumer’s current needs, and be mindful of the importance of safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, including compliance with applicable state and local health orders and licensing requirements.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691. Section 4691.

(a) The Legislature reaffirms its intent that community-based day programs be planned and provided as part of a continuum of services to enable persons with developmental disabilities to approximate the pattern of everyday living available to people of the same age without disabilities. The Legislature further intends that standards be developed to ensure high-quality services, and that equitable ratesetting procedures based upon those standards be established, maintained, and revised, as necessary. The Legislature intends that ratesetting procedures be developed for all community-based day programs, which include adult development centers, activity centers, infant day programs, behavior management programs, social recreational programs, and independent living programs. (b) For the purpose of ensuring that regional centers may secure high-quality services for persons with developmental disabilities, the State Department of Developmental Services shall promulgate regulations establishing program standards and an equitable process for setting rates of state payment for community-based day programs. These regulations shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (1) The standards and requirements related to the operation of the program including, but not limited to, staff qualifications, staff-to-client ratios, client entrance and exit criteria, program design, program evaluation, program and client records and documentation, client placement, and personnel requirements and functions. (2) The allowable cost components of the program including salary and wages, staff benefits, operating expenses, and management organization costs where two or more programs are operated by a separate and distinct corporation or entity. (3) The rate determination processes for establishing rates, based on the allowable costs of the allowable cost components. Different rate determination processes may be developed for establishing rates for new and existing programs, and for the initial and subsequent years of implementation of the regulations. The processes shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (A) The procedure for identification and grouping of programs by type of day program and approved staff-to-client ratio. (B) The requirements for an identification of the program, cost, and other information, if any, which the program is required to submit to the department or the regional center, the consequences, if any, for failure to do so, and the timeframes and format for submission and review. (C) The ratesetting methodology. (D) A procedure for adjusting rates as a result of anticipated and unanticipated program changes and fiscal audits of the program and a procedure for appealing rates, including the timeframes for the program to request an adjustment or appeal, and for the department to respond. (E) A procedure for increasing established rates and the allowable range of rates due to cost-of-living adjustments. (F) A procedure for increasing established rates as a result of Budget Act appropriations made pursuant to the ratesetting methodology established pursuant to Section 4691.5 and subdivision (c) of this section. The department shall develop these regulations in consultation with representatives from organizations representing the developmental services system as determined by the department. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and other organizations representing regional centers, providers, and clients shall have an opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed regulations prior to their promulgation. The department shall promulgate these regulations for all community-based day programs by July 1, 1990. (c) Upon the promulgation of regulations pursuant to subdivision (b), and pursuant to Section 4691.5, and by September 1 of each year thereafter, the department shall establish rates pursuant to the regulations. Rate increases during the 1990–91 and 1991–92 fiscal years shall be limited to those specified in subdivision (b). For the 1992–93 fiscal year and all succeeding fiscal years, any increases proposed during those years in the rates of reimbursement established pursuant to the regulations, except for rate increases due to rate appeals and rate adjustments based on unanticipated program changes, shall be subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds in the Budget Act, for those purposes, to fully provide the proposed increase to all eligible programs for the entire fiscal year. If the funds appropriated in the Budget Act are not sufficient to fully provide for the proposed increase in the rates of reimbursement for all eligible programs for the entire fiscal year, the proposed increase shall be limited to the level of funds appropriated. The increases proposed in the rates of reimbursement shall be reduced equitably among all eligible providers in accordance with funds appropriated and the eligible programs shall be reimbursed at the reduced amount for the entire fiscal year. (d) Using the reported costs of day programs reimbursed at a permanent rate and the standards and ratesetting processes promulgated pursuant to subdivision (b) as a basis, the department shall report to the Legislature as follows: (1) By April 15, 1993, and every odd year thereafter, the difference between permanent rates for existing programs and the rates of those programs based upon their allowable costs and client attendance, submitted pursuant to the regulations specified in subdivision (b). In reporting the difference, the department shall also identify the amount of the difference associated with programs whose rates are above the allowable range of rates, which is available for increasing the rates of programs whose rates are below the allowable range, to within the allowable range, and any other pertinent cost or rate information which the department deems necessary. (2) By April 15, 1994, and every even year thereafter, the level of funding, if any, which was not appropriated to reimburse providers at the proposed rates reported the prior fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1), and any other pertinent cost or rate information which the department deems necessary. (3) The April 15, 1996, report pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be prepared jointly by the department and organizations representing community-based day program providers, as determined by the department. That report shall also include a review of the ratesetting process and recommendations, if any, for its modification. (e) Rates established by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (f) The department shall ensure that the regional centers monitor compliance with program standards.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.5. Section 4691.5.

The ratesetting methodology, to be established pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 4691 shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following: (a) A process for establishing rates during fiscal year 1990–91 for new programs and existing programs receiving a provisional or permanent rate. (1) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate determined for the same type of day program and staff-to-client ratio. This rate shall be a temporary rate. Determination of the mean rate for new programs shall be based on the program, cost, and other information of existing programs receiving a permanent rate, using allowable costs and client attendance information of those existing programs. In order to establish rates pursuant to this paragraph existing programs receiving a permanent rate shall submit to the department, the program, cost, and other information specified by the department for either calendar year 1988 or fiscal year 1988–89. The specified information shall be submitted on forms developed by the department, not later than 45 days following receipt of the required forms from the department, after the effective date of this section. Programs which fail to submit the required information within the time specified shall have payment of their permanent rate suspended until the required information has been submitted. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (4) the rate for existing programs receiving a provisional rate, whose rate would otherwise expire during fiscal year 1990–91, shall be extended at the provisional rate until September 1, 1991. (3) Except as provided in paragraph (4) below, the rate for existing programs receiving a permanent rate shall be reestablished at the permanent rate until June 30, 1991. (4) The rate for existing programs receiving a provisional or permanent rate as specified in paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be increased for all programs eligible for the increase. Eligible programs shall include only those programs which received a deficiency adjustment in their permanent or provisional rate for fiscal year 1989–90, based on calendar year 1988 program and cost information submitted to the department, pursuant to the stipulated order in the case of California Association of Rehabilitation Facilities et al. v. State of California, Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 355326, and the adjustment was insufficient to fund the entire deficiency. The amount of funds available for the increase is limited to the one million dollars ($1,000,000) appropriated for that purpose for fiscal year 1990–91, and it shall be distributed proportionately among all eligible programs. The amount of increase which each eligible program shall receive toward its remaining deficiency, based on calendar year 1988 program and cost information, shall be equal to the percentage that one million dollars ($1,000,000) represents of the total deficiency, based on calendar year 1988 program and cost information, for all eligible programs. (b) A process for establishing rates during fiscal year 1991–92 for new programs and existing programs receiving a temporary, provisional, or permanent rate. (1) The rate for existing programs receiving a permanent rate, shall be determined based on fiscal year 1989–90 program, cost, and other information submitted to the department and regional center. The ratesetting process shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following: (A) A process for determination of a mean rate and an allowable range of rates for the same type of day program and staff-to-client ratio. The mean rate shall be determined using those programs’ allowable costs and client attendance and the allowable range of rates shall be defined as the rates of those programs included between the 10th and 90th percentiles. (B) The rates for existing programs receiving a permanent rate shall be increased or decreased to their allowable costs for fiscal year 1991–92, as follows: (i) The rate shall be decreased if the program’s allowable costs and client attendance, for fiscal year 1989–90, determined pursuant to the regulations, would result in a rate that is lower than its existing permanent rate. (ii) The rate shall be increased if the program’s allowable costs and client attendance for fiscal year 1989–90, determined pursuant to the regulations, would result in a rate that is higher than its existing permanent rate and its existing permanent rate is below or within the allowable range of rates. (iii) No rate increase shall be provided that would result in the rate exceeding the allowable range of rates. No increase shall be provided for programs whose existing permanent rate is above the allowable range of rates. The amount of funds appropriated for that purpose for fiscal year 1991–92 shall be distributed only to those programs eligible for the increase. (C) A process for the reduction or increase in the rate of any program whose existing permanent rate is not within the allowable range of rates. This process shall be based upon all of the following: (i) For programs whose existing permanent rates are above the allowable range of rates, their existing permanent rate shall be reduced by 5 percent or to the allowable range, whichever is less. (ii) For programs whose existing permanent rates are below the allowable range of rates, after the increase specified in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B) their rate shall be increased, up to the allowable range, in proportion to the amount of funds obtained from reducing the rate of programs whose rates are above the range. (2) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate determined pursuant to the process in paragraph (1) for the same type of day program and staff-to-client ratio using the program, cost, and other information submitted by providers receiving a permanent rate. (3) The rate for existing programs receiving a provisional rate, whose rate expired during fiscal year 1990–91 and was extended until September 1, 1991, shall be determined pursuant to the process specified in paragraph (1) for permanent rates, except that the determination shall be based upon 12 consecutive months of representative costs incurred by the program during the period it was receiving its provisional rate. The program shall submit these costs and other program information, designated by the department, to the department within the time frames specified in the regulations. If the program has not incurred or cannot provide 12 consecutive months of representative costs, the department may determine the rate based on less than 12 consecutive months of representative costs. (4) The rate for existing programs receiving a provisional rate, whose rate will expire in July or August of 1991, shall be extended until September 1, 1991, and then determined pursuant to the process specified in paragraph (3). (c) A process for establishing rates during fiscal year 1992–93 for new programs and existing programs receiving a temporary or permanent rate: (1) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate, determined pursuant to the process in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) for fiscal year 1991–92, for the same type of day program and staff-to-client ratio. (2) The rate for existing programs receiving a temporary rate shall be continued at the rate established for fiscal year 1991–92, until the rate expires or a permanent rate is established pursuant to the process in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) for fiscal year 1991–92. (3) The rate for existing programs receiving a permanent rate shall be reestablished at the rate established for fiscal year 1991–92, except for programs whose rates are not within the allowable range of rates. For those programs whose rates are not within the allowable range, their rates shall be reduced or increased pursuant to the process in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) for fiscal year 1991–92. (d) A process for establishing rates during fiscal year 1993–94 for new programs and existing programs receiving a temporary or permanent rate: (1) The rate for existing programs receiving a permanent rate shall be determined based on fiscal year 1991–92 program, cost, and other information submitted to the department and regional center. The ratesetting process shall include the process specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) for fiscal year 1991–92, except that the allowable range of rates shall be determined by computing 50 percent of the mean rate for fiscal year 1993–94 and converting that amount into a range of rates, distributed equally above and below the mean. This process shall compare the range of rates computed for fiscal year 1993–94 with the range of rates calculated for fiscal year 1991–92 based on 80 percent of the programs, and shall use the lesser of the two ranges in the comparison as the allowable range of rates. Once established, this range shall be permanent. (2) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate determined pursuant to the process in paragraph (1) for the same type of day program and staff-to-client ratio using the program, cost, and other information submitted by providers receiving a permanent rate. (3) The rate for existing programs receiving a temporary rate shall be continued at the established rate until the program has incurred 12 consecutive months of representative costs within the timeframes specified in the regulations. Once the representative costs have been incurred, the rate shall be determined pursuant to the process specified in paragraph (1) for permanent rates. (e) A process for establishing rates, during fiscal year 1994–95 and each alternative fiscal year thereafter, for new programs and existing programs receiving a temporary or permanent rate. The process shall be the same as that specified in subdivision (c) for determining, continuing, and reestablishing rates, but shall be based on the program, cost, and other information submitted to the department and regional center for establishment of rates for fiscal year 1993–94 and each alternative fiscal year thereafter, except for the following: (1) For the 1998–99 fiscal year, the rates for existing community-based day programs receiving a permanent rate shall be increased if the program’s allowable costs and client attendance, for the 1995–96 fiscal year, determined pursuant to the regulations, would result in a rate that is higher than its existing permanent rate and its existing permanent rate is below or within the allowable range of rates. The rate shall not be decreased if the program’s allowable costs and client attendance for the 1995–96 fiscal year, determined pursuant to the regulations, would result in a rate that is lower than its existing permanent rate. (2) For the 1998–99 fiscal year, existing community-based day programs receiving a permanent rate, and whose permanent rate is still below the lower limit of the allowable range of rates for like programs after receiving an increase pursuant to paragraph (1), shall receive an increase in their permanent rate up to the lower limit of the allowable range of rates. (3) The requirements of subdivision (c) of Section 4691, which specify that any rate increases shall be subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds in the Budget Act, shall also apply to rates governed by paragraphs (1) and (2). (f) A process for establishing rates, during fiscal year 1995–96 and each alternative fiscal year thereafter, for new programs and existing programs receiving a temporary or permanent rate. The process shall be the same as that specified in subdivision (d) except for the following: (1) The rate for programs receiving a permanent rate shall be based on program, cost, and other information submitted to the department and regional center for fiscal year 1993–94 and each alternative fiscal year thereafter. (2) The allowable range of rates, permanently established during fiscal year 1993–94, shall be applied to the mean rate determined for fiscal year 1995–96 and each alternative fiscal year thereafter. (3) Existing programs receiving a permanent rate whose rates are not within the allowable range of rates shall, by September 1, 1995, have their rates reduced or increased as follows: (A) For programs whose existing permanent rates are above the allowable range of rates, their rate shall be reduced to the allowable range. (B) For programs whose existing rates are below the allowable range of rates, their rate shall be increased up to the allowable range in proportion to the amount of funds obtained from reducing the rate of programs whose rates are above the range. (g) A process for establishing a uniform supplemental rate of reimbursement for programs serving nonambulatory clients, as determined by the department. (h) A process for notifying the program of the established rate.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.6. Section 4691.6.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2006, the community-based day program, work activity program, and in-home respite service agency rate schedules authorized by the department and in operation June 30, 2006, shall be increased by 3 percent, subject to funds specifically appropriated for this increase in the Budget Act of 2006. The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all providers. Any subsequent increase shall be governed by subdivisions (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l), and Section 4691.9. (b) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, the department shall not establish any permanent payment rate for a community-based day program or in-home respite service agency provider that has a temporary payment rate in effect on June 30, 2008, if the permanent payment rate would be greater than the temporary payment rate in effect on or after June 30, 2008, unless the regional center demonstrates to the department that the permanent payment rate is necessary to protect the consumers’ health or safety. (c) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, neither the department nor any regional center shall approve any program design modification or revendorization for a community-based day program or in-home respite service agency provider that would result in an increase in the rate to be paid to the vendor from the rate that is in effect on or after June 30, 2008, unless the regional center demonstrates that the program design modification or revendorization is necessary to protect the consumers’ health or safety and the department has granted prior written authorization. (d) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, the department shall not approve an anticipated rate adjustment for a community-based day program or in-home respite service agency provider that would result in an increase in the rate to be paid to the vendor from the rate that is in effect on or after June 30, 2008, unless the regional center demonstrates that the anticipated rate adjustment is necessary to protect the consumers’ health or safety. (e) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, except as set forth in subdivisions (f) and (i), the department shall not approve any rate adjustment for a work activity program that would result in an increase in the rate to be paid to the vendor from the rate that is in effect on or after June 30, 2008, unless the regional center demonstrates that the rate adjustment is necessary to protect the consumers’ health and safety and the department has granted prior written authorization. (f) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing January 1, 2017, the department may approve rate adjustments for a work activity program that demonstrates to the department that the rate adjustment is necessary in order to pay employees who, prior to January 1, 2017, were being compensated at a wage that is less than the minimum wage established on and after January 1, 2017, by Section 1182.12 of the Labor Code, as amended by Chapter 4 of the Statutes of 2016. The rate adjustment pursuant to this subdivision shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to adjust employee pay only to the extent necessary to bring pay into compliance with the increased state minimum wage, and shall not constitute a general wage enhancement for employees paid above the increased minimum wage. (g) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing January 1, 2017, community-based day program and in-home respite services agency providers with temporary payment rates set by the department may seek unanticipated rate adjustments from the department due to the impacts of the increased minimum wage as established by Section 1182.12 of the Labor Code, as amended by Chapter 4 of the Statutes of 2016. The rate adjustment shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to adjust employee pay only to the extent necessary to bring pay into compliance with the increased state minimum wage, and shall not constitute a general wage enhancement for employees paid above the increased minimum wage. (h) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing January 1, 2015, the in-home respite service agency rate schedule authorized by the department and in operation December 31, 2014, shall be increased by 5.82 percent, subject to funds specifically appropriated for this increase for costs due to changes in federal regulations implementing the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 201 et seq.). The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all applicable providers. (i) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2015, the department may approve rate adjustments for a work activity program that demonstrates to the department that the rate adjustment is necessary to implement Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 245) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Labor Code, as added by Chapter 317 of the Statutes of 2014. The rate adjustment may be applied only if a minimum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave per year was not a benefit provided to employees as of June 30, 2015, and shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to compensate an employee up to a maximum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave in each year of employment. (j) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2015, community-based day program and in-home respite services agency providers with temporary payment rates set by the department may seek unanticipated rate adjustments from the department if the adjustment is necessary to implement Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 245) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Labor Code, as added by Chapter 317 of the Statutes of 2014. The rate adjustment may be applied only if a minimum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave per year was not a benefit provided to employees as of June 30, 2015, and shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to compensate an employee up to a maximum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave in each year of employment. (k) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2016, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the in-home respite service agency rate schedule authorized by the department and in operation June 30, 2016, shall be increased by 5 percent. The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all providers. ( l ) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2016, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the independent living service rate schedule authorized by the department and in operation June 30, 2016, shall be increased by 5 percent. The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all providers.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.8. Section 4691.8.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the department may provide a rate increase for the purpose of enhancing wages for direct care staff in day programs and in work activity programs, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 4851, and in look-alike programs, that meet any of the following criteria: (1) Provide a majority of their services and supports in integrated community settings. (2) Are day programs that are converting to integrated community settings. (3) Are work activity programs that are converting to supported work programs. (b) The department may approve a temporary rate increase for a program that is converting pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a). A program shall not be eligible for a permanent rate increase pursuant to this section unless it meets the criteria established in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). (c) A rate increase provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) to existing programs shall be effective not more than 60 days following the adoption of the Budget Act that appropriates the necessary funding. (d) Prior to implementation of this section, the department shall consult with stakeholders, including various provider organizations, the regional centers, and all other interested parties. (e) The department shall provide the Legislature, by April 1, 2007, with a description of how this section has been implemented, along with the following information: (1) The number of day programs and work activity centers receiving an enhanced rate, by regional center. (2) The number of program conversions, by regional center. (3) The percentage of rate increase provided to programs. (4) The effect of the rate increase on direct care staff wages.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.9. Section 4691.9.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2008: (1) A regional center shall not pay an existing service provider, for services where rates are determined through a negotiation between the regional center and the provider, a rate higher than the rate in effect on June 30, 2008, unless the increase is required by a contract between the regional center and the vendor that is in effect on June 30, 2008, or the regional center demonstrates that the approval is necessary to protect the consumer’s health or safety and the department has granted prior written authorization. (2) A regional center shall not negotiate a rate with a new service provider, for services where rates are determined through a negotiation between the regional center and the provider, that is higher than the regional center’s median rate for the same service code and unit of service, or the statewide median rate for the same service code and unit of service, whichever is lower. The unit of service designation shall conform with an existing regional center designation or, if none exists, a designation used to calculate the statewide median rate for the same service. The regional center shall annually certify to the State Department of Developmental Services its median rate for each negotiated rate service code, by designated unit of service. This certification shall be subject to verification through the department’s biennial fiscal audit of the regional center. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), commencing January 1, 2017, regional centers may negotiate a rate adjustment with providers regarding rates if the adjustment is necessary in order to pay employees no less than the minimum wage as established by Section 1182.12 of the Labor Code, as amended by Chapter 4 of the Statutes of 2016, and only for the purpose of adjusting payroll costs associated with the minimum wage increase. The rate adjustment shall be specific to the unit of service designation that is affected by the increased minimum wage, shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to adjust employee pay only to the extent necessary to bring pay into compliance with the increased state minimum wage, and shall not be used as a general wage enhancement for employees paid above the increased minimum wage. Regional centers shall maintain documentation on the process to determine, and the rationale for granting, any rate adjustment associated with the minimum wage increase. (c) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing January 1, 2015, rates for personal assistance and supported living services in effect on December 31, 2014, shall be increased by 5.82 percent, subject to funds specifically appropriated for this increase for costs due to changes in federal regulations implementing the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 201 et seq.). The increase shall be applied as a percentage, and the percentage shall be the same for all applicable providers. As used in this subdivision, both of the following definitions shall apply: (1) “Personal assistance” is limited only to those services provided by vendors classified by the regional center as personal assistance providers, pursuant to the miscellaneous services provisions contained in Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (2) “Supported living services” are limited only to those services defined as supported living services in Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), commencing July 1, 2015, regional centers may negotiate a rate adjustment with existing service providers for services for which rates are determined through negotiation between the regional center and the provider, if the adjustment is necessary to implement Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 245) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Labor Code, as added by Chapter 317 of the Statutes of 2014. The rate adjustment may be applied only if a minimum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave per year was not a benefit provided to employees as of June 30, 2015, and shall be specific to payroll costs associated with any increase necessary to compensate an employee up to a maximum of 24 hours or three days of paid sick leave in each year of employment. (e) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, commencing July 1, 2016, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, rates for transportation services in effect on June 30, 2016, shall be increased by 5 percent. The increase shall be applied as a percentage to existing rates, and the percentage shall be the same for all applicable providers. (f) This section shall not apply to those services for which rates are determined by the State Department of Health Care Services, or the State Department of Developmental Services, or are usual and customary.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.10. Section 4691.10.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the department shall provide a rate increase for the purpose of enhancing wages and benefits for staff who spend a minimum of 75 percent of their time providing direct services to consumers. The department shall not allocate more than one hundred sixty-nine million five hundred thousand dollars ($169,500,000) of the amount appropriated in the act that added this section for this purpose, plus any associated matching funds. The rate increase shall only apply to services for which rates are set by the department or through negotiations between the regional centers and service providers, and to the rates paid for supported employment services, as specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 4860, and vouchered community-based services, as specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 4688.21. This section shall not apply to those services for which rates are determined by other entities, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health Care Services or the State Department of Social Services, or are usual and customary. (2) For the purposes of this subdivision, “direct services” are services, supports, care, supervision, or assistance provided by staff directly to a consumer to address the consumer’s needs, as identified in the individual program plan, and include staff’s participation in training and other activities directly related to providing services to consumers, as well as program preparation functions as defined in Section 54302 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. State employees participating in the Community State Staff Program are ineligible for the wage increase described in this section. (b) The rate increase specified in subdivision (a) shall be implemented in the following manner: (1) With regional center participation, the department shall conduct a survey of a random sample of service providers in each service category eligible for the rate increase. The survey shall request information regarding all of the following and shall be returned to the regional center and department by April 15, 2016: (A) Number of employees who spend a minimum of 75 percent of their time providing direct services to consumers and their total salary, wage, and benefit costs. (B) Administrative costs as specified in subdivision (b) of Section 4629.7, including the number of employees and total salary, wage, and benefit costs associated with those administrative costs. (C) Any other staff and their total salary, wage, and benefit costs that are not included in either subparagraph (A) or (B). (D) Any other costs to the provider, other than the costs described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive. (E) Any additional information, as requested by the department, to assist in the determination of rate increases. (2) The vendoring regional center shall certify that, to the best of its knowledge, the survey results accurately reflect the services provided by each surveyed service provider. The results from the survey shall be used by the department to determine the rate increase to be applied, by service category. The rate increase shall be the same for all eligible providers in each service category and is intended to provide comparable increases across service categories for staff providing direct services as described in subdivision (a). (3) By July 1, 2016, utilizing the data derived from paragraph (1), the department shall do both of the following: (A) For those service providers whose rates are set by the department, notify those providers and the associated regional centers of the amount by which the rates are to be increased. (B) For those service providers whose rates are set by negotiation with the regional center, notify the regional center of the amount by which the rates are to be increased. (4) With regional center participation, the department shall conduct a survey, in a format determined by the department, of all providers who received the rate increase described in subdivision (a). Providers shall submit the completed survey to the department by October 1, 2017. The survey shall request information on how the rate increase was used by providers and shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (A) Number of employees and their salary, wage, and benefit costs, and increases provided as a result of this subdivision. (B) Percentage of time each employee spends providing direct services. (C) Administrative expenses, consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 4629.7. (D) Any additional information as determined by the department. (c) Providers granted a rate increase pursuant to this section shall maintain documentation, subject to audit by the department or regional center, that the rate increase was used solely to increase wages, salaries, and benefits of eligible staff members spending a minimum of 75 percent of their time providing direct services to consumers. (d) The rate increases calculated by the department pursuant to this section shall be effective July 1, 2016, and implemented as described in subdivision (b). (e) Any provider that fails to report the information required by paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) to the department by October 1, 2017, shall forfeit the increases described in subdivision (a). (f) In its 2017–18 May Revision fiscal estimate, the department shall describe the implementation of the increases provided pursuant to this section.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.11. Section 4691.11.

Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, and to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, the department shall allocate no more than nine million nine hundred thousand dollars ($9,900,000) plus any associated matching funds for the purpose of administrative expenses for service providers. The department shall provide a rate increase for the purpose of administrative expenses that shall apply only to providers for which rates are set by the department or through negotiations between the regional centers and service providers, and to the rates paid for supported employment services, as specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 4860, and vouchered community-based services, as specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 4688.21. This increase shall be determined using the information collected pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4691.10. This increase shall be consistent for providers within each service category and is intended to provide comparable increases for administrative expenses across service categories. This section shall not apply to those services for which rates are determined by other entities, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health Care Services or the State Department of Social Services, or are usual and customary.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4691.12. Section 4691.12.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, and contingent upon the approval of federal funding, the department shall provide a rate increase effective January 1, 2020, for all of the following services: (A) Specified services for which rates are set by the department or through negotiations between the regional centers and service providers. (B) Rates paid for supported employment services, as specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 4860. (C) Vouchered community-based services, as specified in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 4688.21. (2) The rate increase shall be applied to rates in effect on December 31, 2019, less the amount of any one-time rate increases for developmental services, as authorized in the Budget Act of 2018 (Chapter 29 of the Statutes of 2018). The rate increase shall be applied as a percentage, and this percentage shall be the same for all providers within each service category, as established by the department and set forth in the supplemental rate increase schedule posted on the department’s internet website. (3) The rate increase provided in this subdivision shall not apply to those services for which rates are determined by other entities, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Health Care Services or the State Department of Social Services, or are usual and customary. (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, to the extent funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, and contingent upon the approval of federal funding, the department shall provide a rate increase effective January 1, 2021, for all of the following services: (A) Independent living programs that use the service code identified in paragraph (35) of subdivision (a) of Section 54342 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (B) Infant development programs that use the service code identified in paragraph (37) of subdivision (a) of Section 54342 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (C) Early start specialized therapeutic services provided by vendors classified by a regional center as early start specialized therapeutic services providers pursuant to Section 54356 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. (2) The rate increase shall be applied to rates in effect on December 31, 2020. The rate increase shall be applied as a percentage, and this percentage shall be the same for all providers within each service category, as established by the department and set forth in the rate increase schedule posted on the department’s internet website.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4693. Section 4693.

For the purposes of this article, “infant day program” means a day training and activity program where infants and their families are provided training individually and in groups for a day or less, and are provided an organized program of activity. These programs are designed to encourage the development and adjustment of the infants in the community and their homes, and to prepare the infants for entrance into classes of local schools or other appropriate facilities.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 4694. Section 4694.

Commencing July 1, 2006, all regional center vendors who are qualified providers under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) and are serving individuals enrolled under the Home- and Community-based Services Waiver program for persons with developmental disabilities, shall ensure that billing information provided to regional centers identifies each individual consumer and, for each consumer, the specific dates of service, location of service, service unit, unit costs, and other information necessary to support billing under the home- and community-based services waiver. Regional centers shall also ensure that their contractual and other billing and payment arrangements with providers require the provision of any information necessary to support billing under the Home- and Community-based Services Waiver program. Resources provided to regional centers, pursuant to the Budget Act of 2006 and following budgets, to implement this provision shall be allocated to the regional centers only until implementation of a statewide electronic data system that collects the billing information necessary to support billing under the Home- and Community-based Services Waiver program.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026