July 29, 2009

California Department of Developmental Services Letter to Regional Center Directors & Board Presidents About Trailer Bill Language Affecting Regional Centers

On July 28, 2009, the California legislature amended the Lanterman Act which governs developmental disability support services; the amendment was in budget legislation called the Trailer Bill. The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) sent a letter to the regional center directors and boards to advise them about Trailer Bill language affecting the regional centers. Specifically, DDS highlighted the types of treatments and programs that could be considered experimental, including experimental medical or nutritional therapy when the use of the product for that purpose is not a general physician practice. DSS did not define the level of evidence needed to accept a treatment or service as evidence-based.