BILL NUMBER: SB 1451	CHAPTERED  09/29/06

	CHAPTER  600
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 29, 2006
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 23, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 21, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 8, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 7, 2006
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 1, 2006
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 28, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Kehoe
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Leno)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2006

   An act to add Section 8588.15 to the Government Code, relating to
public safety.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1451, Kehoe  Emergency preparedness: disabled community.
   Existing law provides for emergency services, as specified.
   This bill would require the Governor's Office of Emergency
Services to ensure representation of the disabled community on all
pertinent Standardized Emergency Management System Specialist
Committees, as specified. The bill would require the Director of
Emergency Services to report to the Legislature, not later than
January 1, 2009, recommendations regarding preparedness, planning,
procedures and other items, as specified, to prepare and disseminate
sample brochures on those matters, and to make those brochures
available in accessible formats, as specified. The bill would require
the director and the State Fire Marshal's office to seek research
funds to assist in the development of new technologies and
information systems that will assist in the evacuation of disabled
persons, as specified. The bill would express the intent of the
Legislature that funds be used from funds received from the federal
Department of Homeland Security, as specified.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Recent emergencies, such as "9/11" and Hurricane Katrina, have
underscored the need for government to have in place emergency
disaster preparedness plans, procedures, and accessible information.

   (b) Specifically, these disasters have demonstrated that emergency
disaster preparedness plans, procedures, and accessible information
have not been developed to serve the unique needs of those with
physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities; California is among
those states that lack procedures to address the needs of those with
disabilities, in evacuating public and private facilities and private
residences during an emergency or disaster.
   (c) California has a system in place to maintain and improve all
phases of emergency management, known as the Standardized Emergency
Management System. In order to ensure that the needs of people with
disabilities are met during emergency and disaster situations, the
Governor's Office of Emergency Services shall ensure representation
of the disabled community on all pertinent Standardized Emergency
Management System Specialist Committees.
  SEC. 2.  Section 8588.15 is added to the Government Code, to read:

   8588.15.  (a) The Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency
Services shall appoint representatives of the disabled community to
serve on the evacuation, sheltering, communication, recovery, and
other pertinent Standardized Emergency Management System committees,
including one representative to the Technical Working Group.
Representatives of the disabled community shall, to the extent
practicable, be from the following groups:
   (1) Persons who are blind or visually impaired.
   (2) Persons with sensory or cognitive disabilities.
   (3) Persons with physical disabilities.
   (b) Within the Standardized Emergency Management System structure,
the director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the needs
of the disabled community are met by ensuring all committee
recommendations regarding preparedness, planning, and procedures
relating to emergencies include the needs of people with
disabilities.
   (c) The director shall produce a report containing recommendations
regarding preparedness, planning, procedures, and provision of
accessible information on emergency evacuations regarding the needs
of people with disabilities and submit it to the Legislature and
appropriate state and local agencies by January 1, 2009. The
recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, proposed
legislative and regulatory actions, relevant research or technology
design, and training and exercise considerations.
   (d) The director shall prepare and disseminate sample brochures
and other relevant materials on preparedness, planning, and
procedures relating to emergency evacuations that include the needs
of the disabled community, and shall work with nongovernmental
associations and entities to make them available in accessible
formats, including, but not limited to Braille, large print, and
electronic media.
   (e) The director and the State Fire Marshal's office shall seek
research funding to assist in the development of new technologies and
information systems that will assist in the evacuation of the groups
designated in subdivision (a) during emergency and disaster
situations.
   (f) It is the intent of the Legislature for the purpose of
implementing this section and to the extent permitted by federal law,
that funds may be used from the Federal Trust Fund from funds
received from the federal Department of Homeland Security for
implementation of homeland security programs.