Senate BillChaptered/SignedWelfare and Institutions
SB 1261: Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.
What SB 1261 does, verified September 22, 2026
The bill aims to protect the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program in California. The program provides information to consumers and their families on available long-term services and supports. The bill prohibits the California Department of Aging from revoking the ADRC program solely due to issues with the area agency on aging or independent living center partner. Instead, the remaining partner can continue to operate the ADRC independently during a transition period. This ensures the continuity of the program and its services.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 426, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-20)Alert me
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| Sep. 20, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 426, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 20, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 25, 2026 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Aug. 25, 2026 | Urgency clause adopted. |
Latest bill textChaptered version, September 20, 2026 · 624 words
Senate Bill No. 1261
CHAPTER 426
An act to add Section 9120.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to aging, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.
[ Approved by Governor September 20, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 20, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1261, Laird. Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.
Existing law establishes an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program, administered by the California Department of Aging, to provide information to consumers and their families on available long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs and to assist older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities in accessing LTSS programs at the local level. Existing law requires area agencies on aging and independent living centers to be the core local partners in developing and operating ADRC programs, and sets out their duties.
This bill would prohibit the California Department of Aging from revoking the designation of an ADRC program solely due to the revocation or voluntary termination of a designation, suspension, or temporary inability of either the area agency on aging or the independent living center partner to serve in its operator role, and would authorize the remaining partner to continue to operate the ADRC independently during a transition period, as specified. The bill would require the ADRC to be dissolved at the end of the extension term unless specified entities jointly agree to continue the program. The bill would also authorize the department to extend the terms of the ADRC contract if two or more qualified entities are in the process of consolidation.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 9120.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:9120.5.
(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the California Department of Aging shall not revoke the designation of an ADRC program solely due to the revocation or voluntary termination of a designation, suspension, or temporary inability of either the area agency on aging or the independent living center partner to serve in its operator role. In those circumstances, either the area agency on aging or the independent living center may opt to continue to operate the ADRC program independently during a transition period of up to two years, as jointly determined by the California Department of Aging and the Department of Rehabilitation, with advice from the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Advisory Committee, when practicable, while a new or replacement partner is identified and designated.(2) At the conclusion of the ADRC extension term identified in paragraph (1), the ADRC program shall be dissolved, unless both the area agency on aging and independent living center jointly agree to continue the ADRC program.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the California Department of Aging may extend the terms of an ADRC contract beyond the extension specified in paragraph (1) if two or more qualified entities are in the process of consolidation.
(b) During the transition period described in subdivision (a), the services provided by the ADRC shall continue without interruption, and joint operation shall be reestablished upon designation of the replacement partner that serves older adults or is a peer-led disability organization.
SEC. 2.
This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:In order to ensure continuity of vital services for older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities receiving services under the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program, it is necessary for this act to go into immediate effect.
Text of SB 1261 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions