(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Department of Health Care Services, or any designated local agency administering the California Children’s Services, shall be responsible for the provision of medically necessary occupational therapy and physical therapy, as specified by Article 5 (commencing with Section 123800) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, by reason of medical diagnosis and when contained in the child’s individualized education program.
(2) Related services or designated instruction and services not deemed to be medically necessary by the State Department of Health Care Services, that the individualized education program team determines are necessary in order to assist a child to benefit from special education, shall be provided by the local education agency by qualified personnel whose employment standards are covered by the Education Code and implementing regulations.
(b) The department shall determine whether a California Children’s Services eligible pupil, or a pupil with a private medical referral needs medically necessary occupational therapy or physical therapy. A medical referral shall be based on a written report from a licensed physician and surgeon who has examined the pupil. The written report shall include the following:
(1) The diagnosed neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, or physical disabling condition prompting the referral.
(2) The referring physician’s treatment goals and objectives.
(3) The basis for determining the recommended treatment goals and objectives, including how these will ameliorate or improve the pupil’s diagnosed condition.
(4) The relationship of the medical disability to the pupil’s need for special education and related services.
(5) Relevant medical records.
(c) The department shall provide the service directly or by contracting with another public agency, qualified individual, or a state-certified nonpublic nonsectarian school or agency.
(d) Local education agencies shall provide necessary space and equipment for the provision of occupational therapy and physical therapy in the most efficient and effective manner.
(e) The department shall also be responsible for providing the services of a home health aide when the local education agency considers a less restrictive placement from home to school for a pupil for whom both of the following conditions exist:
(1) The California Medical Assistance Program provides a life-supporting medical service via a home health agency during the time in which the pupil would be in school or traveling between school and home.
(2) The medical service provided requires that the pupil receive the personal assistance or attention of a nurse, home health aide, parent or guardian, or some other specially trained adult in order to be effectively delivered.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 28, Sec. 1. (AB 1494) Effective June 27, 2012.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018