The San Diego Regional Center is one of 21 Regional Centers for persons with developmental disabilities in the State of California. The centers were established in 1965 under legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Frank Lanterman. The Lanterman Act became effective in 1969 and established the statewide Regional Center network. The Legislation later expanded the populations served to include persons with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other disabling conditions similar to intellectual disabilities. The San Diego Regional Center was the third Regional Center established in California. It currently serves over 40,000 people living in San Diego and Imperial Counties.