BILL NUMBER: AB 2311	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Brown

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2016

   An act to add Sections 8588.20, 8598.5, and 8635.5 to the
Government Code, relating to emergency services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2311, as introduced, Brown. Emergency services: sign language
interpreters.
   Existing law establishes the Office of Emergency Services within
the office of the Governor and under the supervision of the Director
of Emergency Services and makes the office responsible for the state'
s emergency and disaster response services for natural,
technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. Existing law
requires every state agency and officer to cooperate with the
secretary in rendering all possible assistance in carrying out the
provisions of the act.
   This bill would require the office to provide or contract for a
disaster response sign language interpreter certification program to
train individuals on the use of American Sign Language to effectively
communicate public safety information. The bill would additionally
require every state agency and every local agency to utilize a sign
language interpreter who has completed that certification program to
provide interpretation services at every media or public briefing
where actionable information will be disseminated before, during, or
after a state of war emergency, state of emergency, or local
emergency. By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill
would impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 8588.20 is added to the Government Code,
immediately following Section 8588.15, to read:
   8588.20.  The office shall provide, or contract for, a disaster
response sign language interpreter certification program, which shall
train persons on the use of American Sign Language to effectively
communicate public safety information.
  SEC. 2.  Section 8598.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   8598.5.  Every state agency shall utilize a sign language
interpreter who has completed the disaster response sign language
interpreter certification program as specified in Section 8588.20, to
provide interpretation services at every media or public briefing
where actionable information will be disseminated before, during, or
after a state of emergency, state of war emergency, or local
emergency.
  SEC. 3.  Section 8635.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   8635.5.  The governing body of a local agency shall utilize a sign
language interpreter who has completed the disaster response sign
language interpreter certification program as specified in Section
8588.20, to provide interpretation services at every media or public
briefing where actionable information will be disseminated before,
during, or after a state of emergency, state of war emergency, or
local emergency.
  SEC. 4.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.