BILL ANALYSIS
AB 423
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 423 (Torres)
As Amended May 5, 2009
Majority vote
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 11-1
APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Fuentes, Tom Berryhill, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Charles |
| |Carter, Fong, Furutani, | |Calderon, Davis, Fuentes, |
| |Huffman, Krekorian, | |Hall, John A. Perez, Price, |
| |Skinner, Smyth, Swanson, | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| |Torrico | |Torlakson, Krekorian |
| | | | |
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|Nays:|Fuller |Nays:|Nielsen, Duvall, Harkey, |
| | | |Miller, |
| | | |Audra Strickland |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Expands the size and responsibilities of the State
911 Advisory Board (advisory board). Specifically, this bill :
1)Adds a representative from the Commission on Peace Officer
Standards and Training (POST) to the advisory board.
2)Requires the advisory board to advise DGS concerning issues
relating to the receipt of calls in a language other than
English, the need for additional recruitment of multilingual
public safety dispatchers, and evaluation of the need to
create standardized basic and advanced training programs.
EXISTING LAW
1)Requires the Communications Division of the Department of
General Services (DGS) to review and update technical and
operational standards for 911 systems, after consultation with
specified entities and individuals.
2)Creates the advisory board to advise the Communications
Division on several subjects, including technical and
operational standards for the California 911 system and
AB 423
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training standards for county coordinators and public safety
dispatch center managers.
3)Requires POST to adopt, and authorizes POST to amend from time
to time, rules establishing minimum standards relating to the
recruitment and training of local public safety dispatchers.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, one-time special fund costs in the range of $250,000
in contracts to support the advisory board regarding its
additional responsibilities and to assist the division in
incorporating recruitment and training standards into its
biennial review. The division currently has only 18 staff
positions, and its administrative function is related to the
delivery of calls to
911 centers. The division lacks any expertise with regard to
dispatch center operations and would have to contract for such
expertise to fulfill the requirements of this bill. [State
Emergency Telephone Number Account]
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, AB 423 addresses
potential improvements in the procedures for recruiting,
training, and ongoing skill development for 911 dispatchers.
911 dispatchers perform a crucial function in the public safety
system. Their job is high-stress, and requires precise and
effective performance in order to relay calls accurately from
the public and making the call to the proper emergency
responder. Recruitment hurdles and high rates of turnover make
filling all dispatcher positions challenging.
1) Background: POST was established by the Legislature in 1959
to set minimum selection and training standards for California
law enforcement. Participation in POST is voluntary. Over 600
agencies statewide have chosen to participate. Participating
agencies agree to abide by the standards established by POST.
POST offers over two dozen dispatcher training courses,
including basic and advanced public safety dispatcher courses.
2) The need for multi-lingual intake capabilities: Clear
communication between the dispatcher and a person requesting
emergency services is extremely important. Under the basic 911
system when an individual calls 911 the dispatcher does not
automatically receive the caller's phone number and location,
thus the dispatcher needs to be able to understand this
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information when it is relayed to them. Furthermore, the
dispatcher needs to understand the nature of the emergency in
order to ensure that they can dispatch the appropriate
responders.
Analysis Prepared by : Nina Kapoor / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0001223