Area agencies on aging shall be responsible for, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Contracting with the department to locally manage the community-based programs specified in and in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 9540).
(b) Integrating the community-based services programs contracted under this chapter into the local area plan development process.
(c) Where the area agency on aging proposes to redirect funding under this chapter, the area agency shall ensure that it has submitted its recommendations to a locally formed advisory committee, that shall include consumers of long-term care services, representatives of local organizations of older adults, adults with functional impairments, representatives of employees who deliver direct long-term care services, and representatives of organizations that provide long-term care services. At least one-half of the members of the advisory committee shall be consumers of services provided under this chapter or their representatives.
(d) In addition, where the area agency on aging proposes to redirect funding under this chapter, an administrative action plan shall be developed and shall receive the approval of the area agency’s governing board, which shall consider the input received pursuant to subdivision (c). The administrative action plan shall receive the governing board’s approval prior to submission to the department for final state approval. The administrative action plan shall be an update to the area plan.
(e) Effective in the 1999–2000 fiscal year, and except for the health insurance counseling and advocacy program, determining which of the community-based services programs specified in Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 9540) and contracted under the authority in this chapter will continue to be funded and the amount of funding to be allocated for that purpose.
(f) Subject to Section 9534, providing directly, through contracts with other local governmental entities, or through competitively procured contracts, the community-based services programs.
(g) When required pursuant to Chapter 875 of the Statutes of 1995, and subject to the annual Budget Act, relinquishing funding originally contracted under this chapter and the associated local management of the community-based services programs, and except for the health insurance counseling and advocacy program, to the long-term care integration pilot program.
(h) Monitoring direct services contract performance and ensuring compliance with the requirements of this chapter and any other relevant state or federal laws or regulations and the nondiscrimination requirements set forth under Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 4135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(i) Appropriately expending and accounting for all funds associated with this chapter and providing access to all program books of account and other records to state auditors.
(j) Maintaining a systematic means of capturing and reporting to the department all required community-based services program data, specified in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102.
(k) The governing body of each participating area agency shall establish a process within its area plan for requesting and providing a hearing for the programs specified under this chapter and Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 9540). A hearing shall be provided upon the request of either provider whose existing direct services contract is either terminated prior to its expiration date or reduced in scope outside of the state or federal budget process, or any applicant that is not selected in a direct service contract procurement process due to the alleged presence of a conflict of interest, procedural error or omission in solicitation request, or the lack of substantial evidence to support the award.
(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 337, Sec. 24. (SB 1249) Effective January 1, 2025.)