Office of the Developmental Services Ombudsperson.

Senator Menjivar's legislation establishes an Office of the Developmental Services Ombudsperson within the State Department of Developmental Services to monitor regional center services and investigate complaints from individuals with developmental disabilities. The independent office would oversee implementation of the Self-Determination Program and early intervention services while providing training and technical assistance to consumers, families, and service providers.

The bill outlines specific duties for the ombudsperson, who would be appointed by the department director in consultation with advocacy organizations and consumers for a four-year term. These responsibilities include investigating complaints about care and services, facilitating dispute resolution, and compiling data on systemic issues. The office must maintain confidentiality of complainant identities and records while having broad access to facilities, documents and individuals necessary to conduct investigations.

To ensure effectiveness, the legislation requires regional centers to inform consumers about the office during annual planning meetings and grants the ombudsperson immunity from testifying about investigations in legal proceedings. The office must also convene an advisory focus group representing diverse stakeholders and provide quarterly updates to the Legislature on complaint trends and recommendations for improving the developmental services system.

The bill mandates coordination between the new office and existing ombudsperson programs through formal agreements, while establishing protections for the office's independence in investigating complaints and recommending system changes. Implementation would occur through existing departmental resources rather than new appropriations.