(a) The department shall ensure all older adults have equal access to programs and services provided through the Older Americans Act and under this division in each planning and services area, regardless of physical or mental disabilities, language barriers, cultural or social isolation, including that caused by actual or perceived racial and ethnic status, including, but not limited to, African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or any other basis set forth in § 12921 of the Government Code, or by association with a person or persons with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, that restrict an individual’s ability to perform normal daily tasks or that threaten his or her capacity to live independently.

(b) This section is not intended to increase General Fund obligations for programs administered by area agencies on aging.

(c) The department shall require that each area agency on aging include the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors in their needs assessment and area plans.

(d) The department shall provide technical assistance to the area agencies on aging regarding the unique needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors.

(e) The department may adopt regulations to implement this section. If the department determines that adopting regulations is necessary, it shall do so only after consultation with the area agencies on aging and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 829, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)