BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2283
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2283 (Chu)
As Amended May 4, 2004
Majority vote
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 7-4 APPROPRIATIONS 15-5
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|Ayes:|Reyes, Calderon, Diaz, |Ayes:|Chu, Berg, Calderon, |
| |Jerome Horton, Levine, | |Corbett, Firebaugh, |
| |Ridley-Thomas, Wesson | |Goldberg, Leno, Nation, |
| | | |Negrete McLeod, Oropeza, |
| | | |Pavley, Ridley-Thomas, |
| | | |Wesson, Wiggins, Yee |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Campbell, Bogh, La Malfa, |Nays:|Runner, Bates, Daucher, |
| |Strickland | |Haynes, Keene |
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SUMMARY : Provides a process for implementing the
nationally-designated 2-1-1 system for non-emergency community
information and referral services. Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
responsible for selecting community information and referral
providers under the nationally-designated 2-1-1 system.
2)Limits civil liability of providers of information and
referral service using the 2-1-1 dialing code except in case
of willful or wanton misconduct.
3)Authorizes all state agencies to provide reasonable assistance
and cooperation in promoting 2-1-1 dialing access.
4)Authorizes CPUC to select a lead entity responsible for
implementing the 2-1-1 system throughout the state if CPUC
finds that a lead entity will assist in the implementation of
2-1-1 dialing.
5)Requires the lead entity to allocate any federal funds
received for 2-1-1 implementation.
6)Requires the lead entity to provide a separate accounting for
any federal and state funds received for 2-1-1 and to report
AB 2283
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annually on funding and expenditures under the program.
EXISTING FEDERAL LAW states that the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has designated 2-1-1 to be the national
abbreviated dialing code to be used to access non-emergency
community information and referral providers to enable a caller
to obtain information concerning social services not currently
addressed by either the 9-1-1 or the 3-1-1 system.
EXISTING LAW provides that CPUC has established procedures to
certify information and referral providers as eligible to
operate telephone services that allow them to receive calls from
people dialing 2-1-1 and to require local exchange carriers to
provide 2-1-1 call origination services.
FISCAL EFFECT :
1)First-year costs of $160,000 for personnel to determine the
designation of a lead agency and to establish funding accounts
and oversight procedures.
2)Ongoing cost of about $80,000 for CPUC oversight.
COMMENTS : FCC has designated 2-1-1 as a national abbreviated
dialing code to be used to access non-emergency community
information and referral providers. In areas where the 2-1-1
dialing has been implemented, a party dialing 2-1-1 will be
automatically routed to a service that can provide him or her
with information concerning available social services. The
system works much the same way 9-1-1 dialing is used for
emergency situations. Unlike the 9-1-1 program,
2-1-1 dialing is not funded through telephone surcharges, but
instead must be funded through private and public grants.
Pursuant to a FCC order, CPUC has issued a decision establishing
the procedures needed to authorize 2-1-1 dialing in California.
CPUC has authorized 2-1-1 programs in Los Angeles, Alameda, and
Contra Costa counties. Currently five other applications are
pending at CPUC.
While CPUC has already begun to authorize 2-1-1 programs, this
bill will create a lead entity responsible for allocating any
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available 2-1-1 funding. The lead entity will also be
responsible for the planning, administrative, fiscal, and
reporting functions required under any state or federal 2-1-1
funding program.
According to the sponsor, the California Alliance of Information
and Referral Services, and supporters of AB 2283, this bill will
help bring 2-1-1 dialing to the entire state by creating a lead
entity for planning and implementing a California program.
Under the existing CPUC program, 2-1-1 dialing is beginning to
appear in the larger urban counties, but the sponsor believes
that without a single designated 2-1-1 planning and
administrative entity,
2-1-1 dialing in the smaller and rural counties will be a long
time in coming.
Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0005588