BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1934
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1934 (Corbett)
As Amended May 8, 2002
Majority vote
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 14-1 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT 7-0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, Bill |Ayes:|Kortez, Negrete McLeod, |
| |Campbell, | |Chu, Havice, Migden, |
| |John Campbell, | |Shelley, Wyland |
| |Canciamilla, Cardenas, | | |
| |Diaz, Horton, Kelley, | | |
| |Maddox, Nation, Papan, | | |
| |Reyes, Simitian | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Leonard | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Requires telephone companies to do background checks
on applicants for employment, contractors and vendors.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires telephone corporations to perform background checks,
according to current business practices, on applicants for
employment in positions that would allow direct contact with
or access to the telephone network, the company's central
office, or customer premises, and that would require the
applicant to perform activities that involve the installation,
service, or repair of the telephone network or equipment.
2)Requires an equivalent background check of persons hired by a
telephone corporation under a personal services contract,
independent contractors, vendors, and their employees for
persons who will have that same access and direct contact.
3)Provides that a telephone corporation is not responsible for
administering or paying for the background checks on
individuals who are not applicants for employment of the
telephone corporation.
4)Specifies that the background check requirements do not apply
to temporary workers performing emergency functions to restore
AB 1934
Page 2
the network of a telephone corporation to its normal state in
the event of a natural disaster or an emergency that threatens
or results in the loss of service.
EXISTING LAW allows telephone corporations to own, control,
operate and manage telephone lines, and to provide telephone
service for compensation in the state, subject to regulation by
the California Public Utilities Commission. Telephone
corporations are not required to complete background checks on
employment applicants, contractors or vendors
COMMENTS : The author notes that our society is dependent on the
integrity of our telecommunications system in many ways,
including air traffic control, emergency services dispatch,
military, business and personal communications. Disruptions in
the communications system can be devastating to a community.
Furthermore, telephone company employees work around the clock,
some in remote locations, interacting with contractors and
vendors. It is sensible to take steps to reduce risks.
According to the author, the telephone companies are routinely
completing background checks on their applicants for employment,
even though they are not required to do so by law. But, they
are not exercising similar caution when it comes to contractors.
This bill would require background checks on contractors and
vendors similar to that which is current practice for employees.
Analysis Prepared by : Paul Donahue / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0004571