Home » Santa Clarita News » Politics » Wilk Bill To Assist Developmental Disabilities Moves Forward
Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, presented Assembly Bill 1904 on the Assembly Floor Thursday night, which directs the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to conduct a report assessing any potential dangers of the odorants currently in use and identify any potential alternatives.
Senator Scott Wilk

Wilk Bill To Assist Developmental Disabilities Moves Forward

A bill authored by Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, is one step closer to helping people impacted by developmental disabilities as young adults.


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Senate Bill 283 redefines “age of onset” for access to disability services from the current age of 18, to a revised age of 22 — the bill unanimously passed the Senate Human Services Committee.

“California’s law has not kept current with modern science. Science tells us the brain continues to develop at least until a person is 22 years of age, so California law should match that,” said Wilk. “For 40 years the Federal government has used age 22 as the onset threshold for services. It is about time we get our act together and make this right.”

Current California law defines a developmental disability, such as autism or traumatic brain injury, as “one that originates before an individual attains 18 years of age; continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely; and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual.”

SB 283 would modify the developmental disability definition by raising the age of onset from 18 to 22.

Supporters of the legislation state that the medical community has long made it clear that a child’s brain has not completed its growth or development until the age of 22 at least — 38 other states include the broader age range in their definitions of developmental disability, according to the bill’s analysis.

The change in California law would also match existing Federal law, Congress passed the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 — that defines the age of onset as 22.

The need for this bill came to Senator Wilk’s attention when he met with James O’Hara from Castaic, a constituent whose son suffered a severe injury to his brain in a car accident shortly after his 18th birthday, making him ineligible for basic therapeutic services needed to restore normal functioning, such as speaking, walking and self-care.

“When I think of young brain injury victims and their families just beginning their journey, my heart goes out,” said O’Hara. “I know the uncertain road before them and their need for support. That support can make the difference between getting their loved one back, or spending the rest of their lives in a nursing home. It’s been said that one measure of a nation’s greatness is how it treats its weakest citizens. When they’re unable to advocate for themselves, we are the stewards of their rights.”

Those who survive a brain injury can face effects that last a few days, or the rest of their lives — effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (personality changes, depression) — these issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families and communities, Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The bill would also assist people with other developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Testifying in support of the bill were representatives from the California Medical Association, Dr. Stephanie Hayner, Chairperson Emeritus of the Brain Injury Assoc. of CA, Prominent Neuropsychologist Dr. Ronald Ruff, Mr. O’Hara, and Autism advocate Emily Iland.

Support for this bill also includes Independent Living Center of So Cal, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Headway House in Northridge, California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH), The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration.

There is no organized opposition to the legislation according to the Senate Human Services Committee’s analysis.

SB 283 is scheduled to be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee by the end of May, according to officials from Wilk’s office.

 

 

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Wilk Bill To Assist Developmental Disabilities Moves Forward

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.