BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2283
Page 1
GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB 2283 (Chu)
As Amended August 23, 2004
2/3 vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |59-18|(May 25, 2004) |SENATE: |23-13|(August 24, |
| | | | | |2004) |
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ASSEMBLY: 55-24 (August 8, 2004)
Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
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 (PUC)
responsible for authorizing 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)Designates the California Health and Human Services Agency
(HHSA) as the "2-1-1 lead entity" responsible for performing
all planning and administrative functions necessary under a
state or federal 2-1-1 funding programs and allocating 2-1-1
funds.
5)Allows HHSA to delegate the functions of a lead entity to
another entity.
6)Limits administrative costs to not more than 5% of any state
funds made available.
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7)Requires the lead entity to create an advisory panel to advise
the lead entity in its planning functions and in the
development of a grant making process for the allocation of
federal funds.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete provision authorizing PUC to select a lead entity
responsible for implementing the
2-1-1 system throughout the state and instead names HHSA as
the lead entity.
2)Create and advisory panel to advise the lead entity in
planning and grant making functions.
3)Add intent language.
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 PUC 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.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill provided that PUC should
select a 2-1-1 lead entity.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown but potential significant annual costs
to HSSA.
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
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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, PUC has issued a decision establishing
the procedures needed to authorize 2-1-1 dialing in California.
PUC has authorized 2-1-1 programs in Los Angeles, Alameda, and
Contra Costa counties. Currently five other applications are
pending at PUC.
While PUC has already begun to authorize 2-1-1 programs, this
bill will create a lead entity responsible for allocating any
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 PUC 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.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE :
"Ensuring that persons have access to information and referral
to social services is of great importance to me. However, it is
premature to enact legislation that requires federal funding
that has yet to be passed by Congress.
"The California Public Utilities Commission has begun the
process of implementing "211" and can continue with its work in
this area until the Congressional bill is enacted."
AB 2283
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Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0009353