Senate Bill 870, a measure authored by Senators Anthony J. Portantino and Scott Wilk, seeks to increases the “age of onset” definition of a developmental disability to 22.  In addition, it expands supportive services and programs for those 18-21 who are developmentally disabled.  It passed the Assembly Human Services Committee.

“This is rare situation where California has been an outlier. We should respect the neuroscience and appropriately update our age of onset definition to 22. Once we do, many qualified individuals will become eligible for needed supportive services,” said Senator Portantino. “It has long been established that brain development continues beyond the age of 18. But our outdated definition has denied young disabled Californians critical support and medically necessary programs for far too long.”

Unanimous findings of countless scientific studies, most notably by the National Institute of Health, has long established the medical fact that the brain does not complete its development at age 18, but continues to at least the age of 22. In 1978, the federal government changed its “age of on-set” definition of developmental disability to age 22 in 1978, and 38 states followed by raising their “age of onset” threshold to age 22 as well.  

“I am grateful to see SB 870 pass the Assembly Human Services Committee. When I think of young brain injury survivors and their families just beginning their journey, my heart goes out. I know the uncertain road before them, and it is critical we provide the early support they need and deserve,” stated Jim O’Hara, a father who brought the issue to Senator Portantino. “That early support and treatment can make the difference between their loved ones coming back to them 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. 

“Thank you to Senator Portantino for the leadership our disabled young Californians have long needed on this issue.”

California is one of only 12 states still 44 years behind on this issue.  As a result, many young disabled Californians are being unfairly excluded from regional center support services, thereby increasing their suffering, reducing their potential levels of self-sufficiency, and ultimately increasing costs to the state in the long run.

“SB 870 is one step closer to becoming law, and California is one step closer to following the science on brain development with regard to providing important services to disabled individuals. Science shows that brains stop developing around 22 years of age. It makes sense for California to join 38 other states in ensuring our young people with disabilities get all of the services needed to thrive and become productive members of our communities,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk, joint co-author of SB 870.