BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS Senator Ben Hueso, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Bill No: SB 1212 Hearing Date: 4/19/2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Author: |Hueso | |-----------+-----------------------------------------------------| |Version: |4/12/2016 As Amended | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Consultant:|Nidia Bautista | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: "2-1-1" information and referral network DIGEST: This bill would state it is the intent of the Legislature to facilitate the expansion of 2-1-1 informational and referral services (I&R) into those counties in California where they are lacking and support a comprehensive statewide database that will connect all callers to I&R services. This bill would authorize moneys appropriated to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to be expended to help close telephone service gaps in counties lacking access to 2-1-1 referral service. ANALYSIS: Existing law: 1)Provides that the CPUC may supervise and regulate every public utility in the State and may do all things, whether specifically designated in this part or in addition thereto, which are necessary and convenient in the exercise of such power and jurisdiction. (Public Utilities Code §701) 2)Establishes procedures for implementing 2-1-1 dialing in California. (CPUC D. 03-02-029, February 13, 2003) 3)Assigns 2-1-1 as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used for access to community information and referral services. Delegates to state commissions, including the CPUC, the authority to certify information and referral providers that will enable them to receive calls from those who dial 2-1-1. Requires all local exchange carriers to provide 2-1-1 call SB 1212 (Hueso) Page 2 of ? origination services at reasonable rates in those territories that will be served by 2-1-1 (Federal Communications Commission N11 Third Report and Order) This bill: 1)States the intent of the Legislature to facilitate the expansion of 2-1-1 telephone services into those counties in California where they are lacking and to support a comprehensive statewide database that will connect all callers to the information and referrals they need. 2)States the intent of the Legislature to facilitate access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information, and referral services, uniformly in the state, especially in hard-to-serve rural areas, though a universally available 2-1-1 telephone service. 3)Authorizes the CPUC to expend moneys appropriated to it to help close telephone service gaps in counties lacking access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information, and referral services, through a universally available, high-quality basic 2-1-1 telephone service to all residents of California regardless of region. 4)Authorizes the CPUC to use moneys appropriated to it to fund and improve a coordinated, publicly owned database to provide regional referrals to help with all aspects of disaster planning, recovery, and response. Background N11 Codes. Under its authority over the North American Numbering Plan, the FCC establishes several abbreviated dialing codes, including designating three digit numbers such as 9-1-1 for emergency services. On July 31, 2000, the FCC issued its N11 Third Report and Order assigning the 2-1-1 dialing code as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used for access to community information and referral providers. The FCC noted in its N11 Third Report and Order that the assignment of the 2-1-1 code to information and referral providers satisfies the public interest standards for assignments of N11 codes, and recognizes SB 1212 (Hueso) Page 3 of ? that a great public need can be met through the implementation of a 2-1-1 dialing program. The FCC noted that the use of the 2-1-1 dialing code has the potential to provide Californians with easy access to information concerning child care services, housing assistance, physical and mental health resources, aging and hospice services, educational and other programs. Such information is not currently available through the 9-1-1 emergency code or the 3-1-1 police non-emergency code, two previously authorized N11 codes. About 2-1-1 services. 2-1-1 is the free telephone number by which Californians can obtain information and referral to health and human service programs. Generally, 2-1-1 provides telephone and web services that promote public safety during non-emergency situations. During emergency or disaster situations, 2-1-1 provides critical public information, such as information on shelters, food distribution, evacuations, road closures and transportation issues, utility outages, school closures, medical and housing assistance, government aid, mitigation and repairs, such as sand bags, emergency alerts, such as riots and looting, as well as public health warnings. Additionally, 2-1-1 service providers offer contact information and access to many local, state and national hotlines, including poison control, suicide, child abuse, adult abuse, teen bullying/cyber-bullying and other crises, domestic violence, veteran issues, immediate shelter, food and health needs, and many other social services that are not currently addressed by either 9-1-1 or 3-1-1 services. 2-1-1 use in California. In 2014, over 1.7 million Californians called 2-1-1 for help finding needed community services such as rent and mortgage assistance, food and shelter, healthcare, job training, transportation, childcare, and senior care. For example, 2-1-1 services have been important gateways for enrolling low- and moderate-income families in health insurance programs, including Healthy Families and county-based Children's Health Initiatives. In the same year, over 1 million unique hits were tracked on 211 websites across the state. SB 1212 (Hueso) Page 4 of ? 2-1-1 also plays a critical role in providing information and support in times of disaster, such as evacuation, shelter, food, medical and recovery information, and providing public officials with feedback from callers about changing conditions. For example, in 2007 during the San Diego wild fires local 2-1-1s handled 130,000 calls in five days. CPUC role. The CPUC authorizes one qualifying local agency in a county the use of the 2-1-1 dial code. This designation allows the lead agency to provide the 2-1-1 referral services for the county. Information and referral centers seeking to utilize the 2-1-1 dial code must apply directly to the CPUC for rights to use this special three digit dialing code. The CPUC has approved 2-1-1 services in 37 counties serving approximately 95 percent of California's population (noted on the following map). Most of these counties have funded their 2-1-1 services via partnerships between local health and human services agencies and nonprofits. For example, Sacramento County notes its program is funded by First 5 Sacramento Commission, Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services, Agency on Aging, Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, Sacramento Superior Court, Kaiser and contributions from the community. Some counties are left out. While most counties have 2-1-1 information and referral providers, 21 counties currently lack the service. Specifically, the following 10 counties are currently developing their 2-1-1 service: Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Mono, Plumas, Placer, Siskiyou, Sutter, and Yuba. Another 11 counties lack the service and do not have programs in development: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Del Norte, Inyo, Lake, Madera, Modoc, Sierra, Trinity, and Tuolumne. Funding source not identified. This bill currently authorizes the CPUC to utilize moneys appropriated to it to fund 2-1-1 service in the counties that currently lack the service. The sponsor of this bill states the additional costs for both the expanded service and the coordinated statewide referral database may be about one million dollars. Since all the currently SB 1212 (Hueso) Page 5 of ? covered counties have largely utilized local resources and contributions from charitable organizations and individuals, the CPUC may want to ensure the counties have made reasonable efforts to secure local and other funding. Most of the CPUC funds are rate-payer based whose use is directed for specific purposes, such as the Universal Lifeline Program which is already well-subscribed and has grown in use with the expansion of the service to cell phone providers. The author and committee may wish to require that use of ratepayer funds shall only be used if it determined to be an appropriate use of those funds. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No SUPPORT: 2-1-1 California (Source) 2-1-1 Nevada County Contra Costa Crisis Center Eden I&R/2-1-1, Alameda County Rural County Representatives of California United Ways of California United Ways of San Diego County Ventura County Board of Supervisors Yolo County OPPOSITION: None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The author states: "SB 1212 will take the next step in developing a statewide 2-1-1 disaster response network and close the gap in 211 coverage to provide access for rural areas in California that do not currently have 211 service. It will make eligible the 2-1-1 network for state funding. This bill will lay the groundwork for statewide coordination and funding to ensure all residents of California can access this critical service regardless of the region from which they are calling." SB 1212 (Hueso) Page 6 of ? -- END --