(a) Except as provided in subdivision (d), a regional center shall not purchase day program, vocational education, work services, independent living program, or mobility training and related transportation services for a consumer who is 18 to 22 years of age, inclusive, if that consumer is eligible for special education and related education services and has not received a diploma or certificate of completion, unless the individual program plan (IPP) planning team determines that the consumer’s needs cannot be met in the educational system or grants an exemption pursuant to subdivision (d). If the planning team determines that generic services can meet the consumer’s day, vocational education, work services, independent living, or mobility training and related transportation needs, the regional center shall assist the consumer in accessing those services. To ensure that consumers receive appropriate educational services and an effective transition from services provided by educational agencies to services provided by regional centers, the regional center service coordinator, at the request of the consumer or, where appropriate, the consumer’s parent, legal guardian, or conservator, may attend the individualized education program (IEP) planning team meeting.

(b) For consumers who are 18 to 22 years of age, inclusive, who have left the public school system, and who are receiving regional center purchased services identified in subdivision (a) on or before the effective date of this section, a determination shall be made through the IPP as to whether the return to the educational system can be achieved while meeting the consumer’s needs. If the planning team determines that the consumer’s needs cannot be met in the educational system, the regional center may continue to purchase the services identified in subdivision (a). If the planning team determines that generic services can meet the consumer’s day, vocational education, work services, independent living, or mobility training and related transportation needs, the regional center shall assist the consumer in accessing those services.

(c) For consumers who are 18 to 22 years of age, inclusive, who have left school prior to enactment of this section, but who are not receiving any of the regional center purchased services identified in subdivision (a), the regional center shall use generic education services to meet the consumer’s day, vocational education, work services, independent living, or mobility training and related transportation needs if those needs are subsequently identified in the IPP unless the consumer is eligible for an exemption as set forth in subdivision (d). If the planning team determines that generic services can meet the consumer’s day, vocational education, work services, independent living, or mobility training and related transportation needs, the regional center shall assist the consumer in accessing those services.

(d) An exemption to the provisions of this section may be granted in either of the following circumstances:

(1) For participation in a paid internship or competitive integrated employment that is an outcome of a paid internship described in subdivision (a) of Section 4870 if the IPP planning team determines that the consumer could benefit from participation in a paid internship or competitive integrated employment. Participation in a paid internship or competitive integrated employment that is an outcome of a paid internship does not preclude a consumer from continuing to receive public education services to the extent those services are determined to continue to meet the consumer’s needs.

(2) On an individual basis in extraordinary circumstances to permit purchase of a service identified in subdivision (a). An exemption shall be granted through the IPP process and shall be based on a determination that the generic service is not appropriate to meet the consumer’s need. The consumer shall be informed of the exemption and the process for obtaining an exemption.

(e) A school district may contract with regional center vendors to meet the needs of consumers pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 18, Sec. 13. (AB 107) Effective June 27, 2017.)