Sen. Dodd’s Senior and Disabled Care Bill Approved in Committee

SACRAMENTO – Legislation has advanced from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to expand a successful program allowing low-income seniors and people with disabilities to receive care in the safety of their own homes, reducing the risk of coronavirus infection.

“This program protects people who would be most at risk while saving taxpayer dollars that would be spent on outside care,” Sen. Dodd said. “Even as vaccines are administered and the pandemic wanes, we must continue to allow our most vulnerable the choice of staying in their homes to improve the quality of their lives.”

The California Community Transitions program has transitioned 4,300 people from institutional settings over the past 12 years for an average savings of $60,000 per person per year. Last year, Sen. Dodd wrote Senate Bill 214, which helped the program assist people during the pandemic. His follow-up legislation, SB 281, ensures California conforms with updates in federal law, expanding eligibility to even more people.

The bill is co-sponsored by Disability Rights California and East Bay Innovations. It passed the Senate Health committee Wednesday on a 10-0 vote.

“Sen. Dodd’s bill provides the necessary infrastructure to transition individuals out of nursing homes during this time of the COVID crisis,” said Tom Heinz, executive director of East Bay Innovations.  “The California Community Transitions program was essential before COVID and will be just as needed post-COVID to help seniors and people with disabilities live in the setting of their choice.”

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.