Policy and Legislation
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) disrupts systems to make them work better – more effective, efficient, agile, and accountable – for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. SCDD’s policy and legislative work is grounded in the voices and experiences of the community, the Council’s State Plan, and core values including independence, inclusion, self-determination, advocacy, and quality of life. This page brings together SCDD’s policy priorities, legislative materials, budget updates, reports, public comments, and other resources that help explain the issues SCDD is tracking and the positions the Council has taken.
Current Legislative Work
Current Legislative Work
Bills Still in Progress
Completed Bills (Passed or Dead)
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2026 [PDF]
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2025 [PDF]
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2024 [PDF]
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2023 [PDF]
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2022 [PDF]
Policy Platform and Principles
- SCDD annually adopts a platform to make clear our position on topics in order to advance the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
- SCDD has developed Guiding Principles to support the California State Administration and Legislature when making decisions related to the budget.
State Budget and Trailer Bill Language
Every year the State of California engages in a process to develop the State’s budget. The Governor proposes a budget in January and revises that proposal in May. SCDD develops a summary of the proposed budget for your consideration.
- SCDD Letter on 2026-27 Proposed DDS Budget and Trailer Bill Language, March 23, 2026
- Governor’s Proposed Budget 2026-27
- Governor’s May Revise 2026-27
- SCDD Summary of May Revise 2026-27
- SCDD Summary of the Governor’s Proposed Budget (January 2026-27)
State Plan and Community Input
The State Plan guides SCDD in carrying out its projects and activities across California. It is gathered though community input with measurable outcomes and three goals area, self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building.
From Policy to Action
From Policy to Action highlights how SCDD turns policy priorities into real-world change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This includes supporting bills and policy reforms, then carrying that work forward through implementation, training, community partnerships, and projects.