(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, vendors of behavior management, activity center, and adult development center day programs, social recreation programs, socialization training programs, community integration training programs, community activities support programs, creative art programs, and work activity programs shall offer an alternative senior program component focused on the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities who are over 50 years of age, at a rate not to exceed the lesser of thirty-five dollars ($35) per day or the vendor’s existing daily rate.
(1) The alternative senior program component shall be provided at a ratio of no more than eight consumers to one staff member.
(2) Consistent with the intent of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the alternative senior program component shall be offered within the provider’s existing vendored capacity as reflected in its program design or licensed capacity.
(b) Effective July 1, 2009, at the time of development, review, or modification of an eligible consumer’s individual program plan, regional centers, as appropriate, shall provide information about and offer an alternative senior program. The alternative senior program shall be offered to eligible consumers who want to transition to a program component focused on the needs and interests of seniors.
(c) Effective July 1, 2011, a regional center shall not refer any additional consumers to alternative senior programs.