In 1970, the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (PL 91-517) was amended to require every state to establish a council on developmental disabilities. In California, Assembly Member Frank Lanterman had already authored legislation toward the goal of improving services for the developmentally disabled. The California legislation has been amended several times over the last three decades, but continues to be a guiding force behind services and legislation for the developmentally disabled as well as the Council itself. The records of the State Council in Developmental Disabilities document the efforts of the Council to create, develop, and evaluate new and existing programs and services for the developmentally disabled.

In 1970, the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (PL 91-517) was amended to require every state to establish a council on developmental disabilities (this federal law would later be known as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act). In California, Assembly Member Frank Lanterman had already authored legislation toward the goal of improving services for the developmentally disabled. The Lanterman Mental Retardation Services Act (AB225, Chapter 1594, Statutes of 1969) and the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (AB77, Chapter 275, Statutes of 1976) have been amended several times over the last three decades, but they continue to be a guiding force behind services and legislation for the developmentally disabled as well as the Council itself. "The responsibility of the [California State] Council [on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)] is to plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate services for persons with developmental disabilities and to establish a system to ensure the legal, civil, and service rights of such persons (Governor's Budget, 1991-1992)."

6 cubic feet of textual records

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Collection is open for research.