AB 308 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Developmental services: safety training.

Summary

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers for the provision of services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Existing law, until July 1, 2026, creates the Advisory Council on Improving Interactions between People with Intellectual and Development Disabilities and Law Enforcement, under the Department of Justice, to, among other things, evaluate existing training for peace officers specific to interactions between law enforcement and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Existing law requires the council to submit a report including recommendations to the Legislature for improving outcomes of interactions with both individuals who have an intellectual or developmental disability and mental health conditions, as specified. This bill would require the State Department of Developmental Services to conduct a statewide evaluation of safety training services provided by regional centers, as specified. The bill would require the department, by July 1, 2028, to submit a report to the Legislature summarizing its findings and recommendations and would require the recommendations to address specified topics, including, among others, recommendations for establishing standardized, statewide protocols for responding to crises involving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature to consider, upon receipt and consideration of that report, providing funding to the department for the purpose of developing, implementing, and sustaining safety training services statewide.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Aug 2026

Assembly Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Aug 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

04/24/25 - Amended Assembly → 06/08/26 - Amended Senate · 7 edits · Jun 8, 2026

MODERATE

The Senate amendment significantly expands AB 308 by adding a new requirement for the State Department of Developmental Services to conduct a statewide evaluation of safety training services provided by regional centers for people with developmental disabilities, with a report due to the Legislature by July 1, 2028. The bill also adds legislative findings based on a 2026 advisory council report identifying gaps in law enforcement training and cross-system coordination. Meanwhile, the original mobile crisis team provisions were simplified by removing detailed requirements about deescalation techniques, use of force, and joint training with law enforcement.

Scope change

The bill expanded from a single-topic measure on county mobile crisis team procedures to a two-part bill that also requires a statewide evaluation of safety training services for people with developmental disabilities, with the goal of reducing law enforcement involvement and hospitalizations through preventive services delivered by regional centers.

REQUIREMENT

New Section 4755 requires the State Department of Developmental Services to conduct a statewide evaluation of safety training services provided by regional centers, including identifying which centers offer such services, gaps in access, staffing needs, cost estimates, and recommendations for standardization.

Removed detailed requirements that mobile crisis team procedures must address deescalation techniques, appropriate amount of force, and transportation guidance. Also removed the requirement that any training be developed in conjunction with law enforcement.

TIMELINE

The department must submit a report to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2028, with findings and recommendations. The reporting requirement sunsets on January 1, 2031.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'safety training services' covering safe interaction with peace officers and first responders, wandering and elopement prevention, emergency preparedness, strategies for seeking help, use of communication tools including augmentative and alternative communication, and individualized safety plans.

FISCAL

The bill states the Legislature's intent to consider a one-time appropriation and ongoing funding for the department to develop, implement, and sustain safety training services statewide after receiving the report.

SCOPE

New legislative findings section references Senate Bill 882 (2022) and a 2026 advisory council report that identified systemic gaps in peace officer training and cross-system coordination, noting law enforcement frequently serves as primary responder to crises involving people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The bill's scope expanded from solely addressing county behavioral health mobile crisis team procedures to also encompassing a statewide evaluation and potential standardization of safety training services for people with developmental disabilities through regional centers.

01/23/25 - Introduced → 03/03/25 - Amended Assembly · 5 edits · Mar 3, 2025

MODERATE

The amended version of AB 308 significantly expands the bill's scope by adding an entirely new chapter (Sections 8300-8301) to Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, creating a separate statutory framework for county behavioral health mobile crisis team procedures. The original bill only added Section 16529.5 relating to child welfare's Family Urgent Response System. The amendment adds a parallel provision in the behavioral health division that authorizes county behavioral health directors to develop procedures for mobile crisis teams or units handling emergencies involving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (including autism) or behavioral health conditions, requiring deescalation techniques, force guidelines, and transportation best practices.

Scope change

The bill expanded from adding a single section to the child welfare portion of the W&I Code (Section 16529.5) to also adding an entirely new chapter to the behavioral health division (Sections 8300-8301), effectively creating two parallel statutory frameworks for mobile crisis procedures - one tied to the Family Urgent Response System in child welfare and one standing alone in behavioral health.

SCOPE

A new Chapter 10 (Sections 8300-8301) is added to Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, creating a standalone statutory framework for county behavioral health mobile crisis procedures separate from the child welfare provisions.

The bill's stated purpose now covers both child welfare (Section 16529.5) and behavioral health (new Chapter 10), broadening the legislative act from a single code section to two distinct areas of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

DEFINITION

Section 8300 defines 'intellectual or developmental disability' by incorporating the definition of 'developmental disability' from Section 4512 of the W&I Code.

REQUIREMENT

Section 8301(b) requires that any developed procedures address three specific items: deescalation techniques tailored to the individual's circumstances, the appropriate amount of force to use if necessary, and guidance on transporting the individual to a designated health or care facility.

ELIGIBILITY

The new provisions apply specifically to counties that operate or contract for the operation of a mobile crisis team or mobile crisis unit, giving the county behavioral health director authority over those entities.

Floor votes · Assembly May 8, 2025

How they voted

68–0

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 78

May 8, 2025

D Democratic59

54 Yea 5

91% Yea

R Republican19

14 Yea 5

73% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

In committee: Held under submission.

upper

Jun 29, 2026

Committee

In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

upper

Jun 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Jun 8, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HUMAN S.

upper

May 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on HUMAN S.

upper

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 0. Page 1487.)

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 29).

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on HUM. S.

lower

Jan 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee February 23.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors