Chapter 3 - California Commission on Aging

California Welfare and Institutions Code — §§ 9200-9205

Sections (7)

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 334, Sec. 1. (AB 2620) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)(1) There is in the state government the California Commission on Aging.

(2)The commission shall be composed of 18 persons, as follows:

(A)Twelve persons shall be appointed by the Governor.

At least 2 of the 12 persons shall be appointed by the Governor from nominees submitted by, among others, area agency on aging directors and the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council of California, also known as the Triple-A Council of California.

(B)Three persons appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(C)Three persons appointed by the Senate Rules Committee.

(3)The commission

shall be comprised of a majority of members 60 years of age or older.

(4)The commission shall be comprised of actual consumers and providers of services under the federal Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3001, et seq.), as amended, with professional, lived, or academic expertise both within and outside of the field of aging, including, but not limited to, health, behavioral health, Alzheimer’s and related dementias, long-term services and supports, long-term care, housing, transportation, independent living, workforce development, caregiving, elder justice, information technology, and economic security, among others.

(5)The commission shall be composed of representatives of the geographic, cultural, economic, and other social factors in the state.

(b)The commission composition requirements shall be complied with as vacancies occur.

(c)For the purposes of conducting meetings pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the commission is an “advisory commission” within the meaning of subdivision (b) of Section 11123.5 of the Government Code and, therefore, subject to Section 11123.5 of the Government Code.

§ 9201

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 334, Sec. 2. (AB 2620) Effective January 1, 2025.

The term of office of members of the commission shall be three years. Members shall not serve more than two full terms and shall be appointed for staggered terms. The members shall select one of their members to serve as chairperson and one of their members to serve as vice chairperson on an annual basis.

A commissioner who fails to attend two consecutive monthly meetings or who fails to attend four meetings per year, without having given written excuse acceptable to the commission, shall cause the commission to notify the appointing authority, and the appointing authority

may declare the position vacant.

§ 9202

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 334, Sec. 3. (AB 2620) Effective January 1, 2025.

The duties and functions of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(a)Serve as the principal advocate body in the state on behalf of older individuals, including, but not limited to, advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation, regulations, and initiatives made by state and

federal departments and agencies relating to programs and services that affect older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers.

(b)Participate with the department in training workshops for community, regional and statewide aging and disability advocates, to promote greater understanding of the legislative, regulatory,

and program implementation processes.

(c)Prepare, publish, and disseminate information, findings, and recommendations regarding the health and well-being of older individuals.

(d)Actively participate and advise the department in the development and preparation of the State Plan on Aging, conduct public hearings on the State Plan on Aging, review and comment on the state plan, and monitor the progress of the plan’s implementation.

(e)Meet at least four times annually in order to study problems of older individuals

and present findings and make recommendations.

(f)Hold hearings throughout the state, that may include conducting an annual statewide hearing inviting all departments administering programs affecting

older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers, in order to gather information and advise the Governor, Legislature, department, and agencies on all levels of government regarding solutions to problems confronting older individuals and the most effective use of existing resources and available services for individuals.

(g)Hire an executive director, who will, within budgetary limits, hire staff as may be necessary for the commission to fulfill its duties.

(h)Perform other duties as may be required by statute, regulation, resolution, or executive order.

(i)Meet and consult with the

Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council of California in order to exchange information, and assist in training, planning, and development of advocacy skills.

(j)Monitor and, when deemed appropriate, engage in federal advocacy efforts that may include, but not be limited to, providing comments on federal Older Americans Act reauthorizations and federal rulemaking packages impacting older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers.

§ 9203

Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.

The commission may accept gifts and grants from any source, public or private, to assist it in the performance of its functions, and the gifts and grants shall operate to augment any appropriation made for the support of the commission, provided that the department shall serve as the fiscal agent for the accounting of the gifts and grants and that no gifts or grants shall be used for the operation by the commission of direct service programs that would conflict with the department’s duties and functions as described by law.

§ 9203.5

Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 633, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative July 1, 2006, or sooner, as prescribed by Sec. 9 of Ch. 633.

The commission may also accept gifts on behalf of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council of California, subject to the provisions of Section 9203, as those provisions apply to the commission.

§ 9204

Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.

Wherever there is a reference in any statute of this state to the Citizens Advisory Committee on Aging of the California Commission on Aging, it shall be construed to refer to the California Commission on Aging if the reference concerns an advisory or advocacy function, or a function described in Section 9202. Any other reference shall be construed to refer to the department.

§ 9205

Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.

Members of the commission shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.