Smoking in Residential Care Facilities

One of our Adult Residential students got a copy of a ruling about smoking from a regional center employee that stated that smoking was not permitted anywhere on the grounds of the facility. It was delivered with a warning that the facility would be fined if anyone was smoking. They were having people walk to the edge of the property to smoke, fearing a citation if smokers were discovered in the previously known "designated area."

It seemed impossible to enforce. And it is - because it didn't apply to Adult Residential Facilities. The sections quoted on the ruling are for children's facilities.

As if this work isn't difficult enough having to balance the interests - often changing - of two enforcement organizations......

Please let me know if you also received this information.

Please support AB 2220

Currently, there is no policy to evaluate the governance of the monies filtered through the regional center system. The Department of Developmental Services is not equipped to monitor the individual financial aspects that may assist in ensuring the funding is being utilized effectively, efficiently, and in the best interest of those with disabilities.

Regional Centers hide under their non-profit status when asked for information that would typically be covered under the California Public Records Act and the Legislative Open Records Act, among other statutes It is the intent of AB 2220 to require the Regional Centers, private non-profit community agencies that utilize public funds to provide state mandated services to persons with disabilities, to disclose information to the public under the California Public Records Act (PRA).

Send letters of support to hcdd@pacbell.net