BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 1934
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 1934 (Corbett)
          As Amended June 20, 2002
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |     |(May 13, 2002)  |SENATE: |38-0 |(June 27,      |
          |           |     |                |        |     |2002)          |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    (vote not relevant)

          Original Committee Reference:   U. & C.  

           SUMMARY  :  Requires telephone companies to do background checks  
          on applicants for employment, contractors and vendors. 

           The Senate amendments  delete the Assembly version of this bill,  
          and instead:

          1)Require 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.

          2)Require an independent contractor of a telephone corporation  
            to certify they have conducted the above background checks on  
            those who will have similar access to sensitive equipment or  
            customer premises.

          3)Do not require background checks to be conducted for temporary  
            workers performing emergency functions resulting from a  
            natural disaster or an emergency threatening loss of service.

          4)Apply the terms of this bill only to applicants for employment  
            who apply for employment after January 1, 2003, and to  
            contracts entered into after January 1, 2003. 

          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.

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill required telephone  








                                                                  AB 1934
                                                                  Page  2

          corporations to perform background checks, according to current  
          business practices, on applicants for employment in specified  
          positions, and required an equivalent background check of  
          persons hired by an independent contractor of a telephone  
          corporation.

           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.
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :    Paul Donahue / U. & C. / (916)  
          319-2083FN: 0005664