AB 1575 updates Lanterman Act terminology
Oct 11, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0062 · Published 2026-10-11 · Version 3 · Final
AB 1575 replaces "consumer" with "person eligible for regional center services" throughout the Lanterman Act and updates related terminology and gender references. The September 27 enactment carries that language across the developmental-services framework while retaining its eligibility and individualized service-planning structure.
What happened
California chaptered AB 1575 on September 27 as Chapter 525. The Legislative Counsel's digest describes a terminology revision across the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act: "consumer" becomes "person eligible for regional center services," other terminology is updated, and gender language is removed. The amended sections span regional-center administration, assessments, individual program planning, services and supports, and related rights and oversight. The law also revises the identified early-intervention provisions of the Government Code.
The revised definition in Welfare and Institutions Code section 4512 continues to connect a person eligible for regional center services to the statutory definition of developmental disability. The same section retains the individual program plan process for determining necessary services and supports, based on the individual's needs and preferences and, when appropriate, those of the family. It expressly says the services-and-supports definition does not authorize a new or different service unless that service is in the person's individual program plan. The updated label consequently should not be read as a separate expansion of eligibility or a new service entitlement.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- General intelligence
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Recorded date
- 2027-01-01
- Date type
- effective
Why it matters
Regional centers and developmental-services providers may need to update forms, policies, systems, and communications to use the revised statutory terminology.
Recommended action
Align affected regional-center forms and policies during routine revisions; retain substantive eligibility and service criteria.
Sources
- AB-1575 Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-09-20
- AB-1575 Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, current bill text (09/04/26 - Enrolled)Official · California Legislature · 2026-09-04 · Source review 2026-09-10
- Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026Official · Office of the Governor · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-04
- AB1575 chaptered operative textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-11
- California Constitution, Article IV section 8(c), official Assembly 2023–24 editionOfficial · California State Assembly · Source review 2026-10-14
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