BILL NUMBER: AB 206	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 2, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 6, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 17, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 15, 1997
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MARCH 18, 1997

INTRODUCED BY  Assembly Member Hertzberg

                        FEBRUARY 4, 1997

   An act to add Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 8321) to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state
government.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 206, as amended, Hertzberg.  Citizen Complaint Act of 1997.
   Existing law provides for the establishment and operation of state
agencies.
   This bill would require state agencies, including the California
State University, to make available on their Internet web sites, on
or before July 1, 1998, or within 6 months of the establishment of
such a site, whichever is later, a plain language form through which
individuals can register complaints or comments relating to the
performance of that state agency.  This bill would require state
agencies making a complaint form available on their Internet web
sites  , to the extent feasible,  to advise individuals
calling to lodge a complaint of specified information and to include
their Internet web site address in the telephone directory.  This
bill would also authorize public libraries, to the extent permitted
through donations and other means, to provide Internet access to
their patrons and to advertise that they provide Internet access.
These provisions would be known as the Citizen Complaint Act of 1997.
  This bill would require all state agencies that have Internet web
sites to implement these provisions in a manner that is consistent
with the statewide strategy for electronic commerce as established by
the Department of Information Technology.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


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


  SECTION 1.  Chapter 5.1 (commencing with Section 8321) is added to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 5.1.  CITIZEN COMPLAINT ACT OF 1997

   8321.  This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Citizen
Complaint Act of 1997.  All state agencies that have Internet web
sites shall implement this act in a manner that is consistent with
the statewide strategy for electronic commerce as established by the
Department of Information Technology.
   8322.  (a) State agencies shall make available on their Internet
web sites, on or before July 1, 1998, or within six months of the
establishment of such a site, whichever is later, a plain-language
form through which individuals can register complaints or comments
relating to the performance of that agency.  The Internet web site
shall provide instructions on filing the complaint electronically, or
on the manner in which to download, complete, and mail the complaint
form to the state agency, or both, consistent with whichever method
the agency establishes for the filing of complaints.
   (b) Any printed complaint form used by a state agency as part of
the process of receiving a complaint against any licensed individual
or corporation subject to regulation by that agency shall make the
form available on its Internet web site, on or before July 1, 1998,
or within six months of the establishment of such a site, whichever
is later.  The Internet web site shall provide instructions on filing
the complaint electronically, or on the manner in which to download,
complete, and mail the complaint form to the state agency, or both,
consistent with whichever method the agency establishes for the
filing of complaints.
   (c) State agencies making a complaint form available on their
Internet web site shall  , to the extent feasible  :
   (1) Advise individuals calling the state agency to lodge a
complaint of both of the following:
   (A) The availability of the complaint form on the Internet web
site.
   (B) That many public libraries provide Internet access.
   (2)  To the extent feasible, include  
Include  their Internet web site address in the telephone
directory in order that citizens will be aware that they may contact
the state agency via the Internet or by telephone.
   (d) Public libraries, to the extent permitted through donations
and other means, may do each of the following:
   (1) Provide Internet access to their patrons.
   (2) Advertise that they provide Internet access.
   (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 11000, state agency
as used in this section includes the California State University.
   8323.  It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter not
affect the application of the Reporting of Improper Governmental
Activities Act (Article 3 (commencing with Section 8547) of Chapter
6.5) or the procedures established to investigate citizens'
complaints against peace officers as required by Section 832.5 of the
Penal Code.