Section 4511.6

(a) The department shall develop a pilot project to test the feasibility of remote consumer services and supports that use technology solutions.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to test whether remote services and supports could provide an effective option for consumers to lead more independent lives, increase their access to bilingual services, and, when chosen and safe, reduce system reliance on one-to-one in-person direct support.

(c) The department shall pilot remote services and supports as specified in subdivision (d).

(d) In choosing consumers to pilot remote services and supports, the department shall consider consumer preference, the type and amount of services or supports and staffing needed to meet the consumer’s individual program plan, and the consumer’s individualized choices and their unique health, safety, and other needs. Consumers chosen for the pilot project shall represent diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, ages, and urban and rural regions of the state.

(e) The department shall work with an external entity with relevant program evaluation experience to both design and evaluate the pilot project.

(f) Providers shall be selected to participate in the pilot project by no later than March 1, 2023.

(g) The department shall report to the Legislature at quarterly briefings for legislative staff about the progress of the pilot project. Reporting shall include summaries of the relevant data collected by service providers and regional centers.

(h) The department shall submit a final evaluation report of the pilot project to the Legislature, in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, no later than January 10, 2026.

(i) Contracts to procure services to implement this section shall be exempt from the requirements contained in the Public Contract Code and the State Administrative Manual and from approval by the Department of General Services.

(j) Implementation of this section shall be subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for the purpose of this section.

(k) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.