AMENDED IN SENIOR SENATE OCTOBER 18, 2005

SENIOR SENATE PROPOSAL NO. 1

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR SENATOR FAUSTMAN

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SP 1:  SERVICES FOR THE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, THERE IS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION A DIVISION OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TO ASSIST AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR, AND TO ENHANCE THE INDEPENDENCE OF, PERSONS WITH THOSE CONDITIONS. THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS OF SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH THOSE CONDITIONS.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REMOVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION ANY FOCUS OR SPECIAL AUTHORITY OVER SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN RURAL COUNTIES, AND WOULD REQUIRE INSTEAD THAT STATE PROGRAMS FOR THE BLIND IN RURAL COUNTIES BE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING FOR THAT COUNTY.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SP 1: RELATING TO SERVICES FOR THE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

WHEREAS, ONE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE, 75 TO 80 YEARS OR OLDER, WILL BE BLIND WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION, AND THESE STATISTICS BECOME MORE GRIM, WHEN ONE ADDS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, PIGMENTOSIS, AND OTHER CAUSES OF BLINDNESS; AND

WHEREAS, BLINDNESS CAN BE FOUND IN ALL AGE GROUPS, BUT THOSE WHO ARE YOUNGER ARE AIDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID, AND THERE ARE NOT MANY OF THEM; AND

WHEREAS, THIS DISABILITY HAS BEEN MAINLY NEGLECTED DUE TO FOCUSED JURISDICTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION. THIS IS THE USUAL PATTERN AMONG THE STATES, BUT STATES REMOVED THE SERVICES FOR THE BLIND FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION. THESE STATES WERE ABLE TO DOUBLE THEIR SERVICES TO THE BLIND THE FIRST YEAR OF SEPARATION. HOWEVER, CALIFORNIA CONTINUES TO LOCATE ITS SERVICES TO THE BLIND WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION; AND

WHEREAS, ALTHOUGH 5 PERCENT OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION LIVE IN NURSING HOMES, 48 PERCENT OF THESE HAVE VISION PROBLEMS.  THE BLIND LIKE TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOMES WHERE THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAYOUT.  THE BLIND WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT BY LEARNING HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES; AND

WHEREAS, THIS IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IN RURAL COUNTIES WHERE MANY OF ELDERLY CHOOSE TO LIVE. STREETS ARE OFTEN UNEVEN, UNPAVED, AND EDUCATION OF THE BLIND NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2005 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT ANY FOCUS OR SPECIAL AUTHORITY OVER SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN RURAL COUNTIES BE REMOVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION, AND INSTEAD REQUIRE THAT STATE PROGRAMS FOR THE BLIND IN RURAL COUNTIES BE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING FOR THAT COUNTY; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.