(a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (1) The Legislature places a high priority on promoting the full inclusion and independence of individuals with developmental disabilities, including through opportunities for recreation, consistent with Section 4501 and paragraphs (6) and (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 4502. (2) As such, it is the intent of the Legislature for social recreation services, camping services, and nonmedical therapies, including, but not limited to, specialized recreation, art, dance, and music, to be among the services and supports within the meaning of subdivision (b) of Section 4512 and be made widely available to consumers, not only for socialization, but to lead the lives that they want in the community. It is further the intent of the Legislature that regional centers, when developing purchase-of-service policies and related procedures, and that the department, when reviewing regional center purchase-of-service policies and related procedures, reduce administrative barriers to the utilization of these services by consumers to the fullest possible extent. (b) The regional centers shall use the following principles when purchasing social recreation services, camping services, and nonmedical therapies: (1) Consumers shall receive services and supports in settings that are typical of those in which persons without disabilities engage in social recreation, camping, or nonmedical therapies. (2) The services described in this section shall promote community inclusion by providing opportunities to build ongoing relationships through or around shared interests or activities, and shall include both of the following: (A) Activities that directly support a consumerâs ability to participate in typical social recreation or other community activities without paid support present. (B) Activities that may identify or develop specific interests or skills, enable the consumer to engage with others around shared affinities or goals, or otherwise build informal social networks that reduce isolation, strengthen community ties, assist the consumer in advancing their own interests and well-being, and can be a source of voluntary natural supports. (3) (A) Regional center purchase-of-service policies and related procedures shall promote access to the services described in this section for consumers who are children, for consumers who experience disparities in the receipt of regional center services, and for consumers or their representatives who are unable to afford paying for services upfront and awaiting reimbursement. (B) Regional center purchase-of-service policies and procedures shall refer consumers and their families to existing opportunities for social recreation services and camping services by funding those services directly along with the supports they may need to access them. (4) Regional center purchase-of-service policies and procedures related to services described in this section shall not do any of the following: (A) Restrict funding of the services described in this section to only those that are specialized or directed toward the alleviation of a developmental disability within the meaning of subdivision (b) of Section 4512. (B) Require the services described in this section to meet both a recreational and socialization need, or prohibit the purchase of one-on-one services, including private lessons. (C) In order to further the legislative intent of making such services widely available to consumers, generally prohibit or disfavor purchase of these services. (c) (1) The department shall prioritize and expedite any policies, procedures, or written directives that may be necessary to facilitate regional center efforts to increase access, collect data, or track expenditures pertaining to these services. (2) (A) By October 1, 2024, regional centers shall designate one or more employees to serve as a point of contact for consumers, families, caregivers, and stakeholders regarding access
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