SACRAMENTO – Members of the state Assembly unanimously approved a bill by Assemblywoman Patty Berg that would make it easier for rural counties to provide services to older adults and people with disabilities.

Assembly Bill 572 updates rules and regulations to provide greater flexibility in transportation and nutrition services provided through regional adult day health care centers.

“These centers help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes and stay out of institutions,” said Berg, D-Eureka. “My bill helps individuals live better lives, and helps maintain stable communities.”

Existing state regulations prohibit these centers from giving clients a ride that will last longer than an hour. The practical effect of that rule is to prohibit people in remote rural areas from receiving services that are readily available to city dwellers.

“Those old rules don’t seem to reflect the real needs of real people,” said Berg. “It might work in a big city, but not in rural areas of the North Coast.”

Adult day health care centers provide nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work services and some mental health services.

There are 360 centers throughout California.

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