AB 3020: 2-1-1 Infrastructure Act.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2024-04-15
Current Status:
Failed
(2024-05-16: In committee: Held under submission.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
Creates a statewide 2-1-1 Strategic Advisory Committee in the Office of Planning and Research to coordinate and strengthen California’s 2-1-1 service — the free three-digit phone line that connects people to local health and social services — especially helping vulnerable populations and counties with limited access. The committee, made up of state agency leaders, community-based organization representatives, a person who has used 2-1-1, and local officials, must identify funding, recommend policies to expand and improve 2-1-1 (including disaster and wildfire response), build a data portal, and promote coordination with 9-1-1 and 9-8-8.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Communications Commission to state regulatory bodies and its existing statutory authority, the Public Utilities Commission has established procedures for implementing 2-1-1 dialing in California to connect people to social services and aid in times of disaster. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, authorized the commission, if it determined that doing so was an appropriate use of funds collected from ratepayers, to expend up to $1,500,000 from the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund to help close 2-1-1 service gaps in counties lacking access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information and referral services, where technically feasible, through available 2-1-1 service. Existing law establishes the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) within the Governors office to provide long-range planning and research and to serve as the comprehensive state planning agency.
This bill would, upon appropriation, require the OPR to establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Council. Advisory Committee. The bill would require the council committee to be composed of specified members, including directors of specified state agencies or their designees, representatives of community-based organizations that represent specified vulnerable populations, a member of the public with lived experience in utilizing 2-1-1 services, and city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services. The bill would require the council committee to, among other things, identify and establish an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations operations, and recommend policies and priorities to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure. The bill would require the councils committees meetings to be open to the public.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Pursuant to authority delegated by the Federal Communications Commission to state regulatory bodies and its existing statutory authority, the Public Utilities Commission has established procedures for implementing 2-1-1 dialing in California to connect people to social services and aid in times of disaster. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, authorized the commission, if it determined that doing so was an appropriate use of funds collected from ratepayers, to expend up to $1,500,000 from the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund to help close 2-1-1 service gaps in counties lacking access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information and referral services, where technically feasible, through available 2-1-1 service. Existing law establishes the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) within the Governors office to provide long-range planning and research and to serve as the comprehensive state planning agency.
This bill would, upon appropriation, require the OPR to establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Council. The bill would require the council to be composed of specified members, including directors of specified state agencies or their designees, representatives of community-based organizations that represent specified vulnerable populations, a member of the public with lived experience in utilizing 2-1-1 services, and city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services. The bill would require the council to, among other things, identify and establish an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations and recommend policies and priorities to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure. The bill would require the councils meetings to be open to the public.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)In order to create a statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery system and to facilitate the reach of local services to vulnerable populations, this act is hereby established to create the 2-1-1 Strategic Council Advisory Committee to recommend policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature, and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience, and promote public health and safety.
(b)2-1-1 is a free-to-use information and referral service that connects people in covered areas to health and human services in their community. First established in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 2-1-1 service is fully deployed in 41 California counties and partially deployed in 17 rural counties, activated only when a state of emergency has been declared.
(c)Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. The FCC, pursuant to its existing authority over the North American Numbering Plan, has established several abbreviated dialing codes, including designating the number 9-1-1 for persons to dial to obtain emergency services, designating the number 3-1-1 for persons to dial for nonemergency police assistance, and designating the number 2-1-1 for persons to dial to obtain information about, and referral to, community social services.
(d)Pursuant to authority delegated by the FCC to state regulatory bodies and its existing statutory authority, the PUC has established procedures for implementing 2-1-1 dialing in California, including designating qualifying entities to manage 2-1-1 service in the state.
(e)Every day, thousands of Californians contact 2-1-1 operators who are trained to connect callers to services in their community. 2-1-1 is available to people of all income levels, languages, and cultural backgrounds and is a critical gateway for federal, state, and localized information and resources to all communities for services such as shelter, food, health care, and support during times of emergency or disaster.
(f)During times of economic uncertainty as well as disasters, the demand for rapid response resources, complex case management, and coordination increases significantly. In many cases, individuals and families who have not had to use health and social services find themselves struggling to navigate various systems of care. 2-1-1 acts as the community front door in these cases, ensuring individuals are referred and connected to appropriate local agencies and community organizations.
(g)2-1-1 service increases the reach of government, nonprofits, and community programs by offering callers information on, and access to, a variety of health and human services, rent and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources, employment opportunities, support for older Americans and persons with disabilities, and support for families with special needs.
(h)2-1-1 is a hub for disaster-related information and plays a critical role during emergencies and disasters, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and epidemics, reducing nonemergency call volume on 9-1-1 lines, which frees up emergency responders to address true life-or-death situations, thus effectively leveraging local public safety resources.
(i)In 2022 alone, 2-1-1 providers took on the challenge of obtaining additional resources and were able to make 2,000,000 connections via telephone call and made over 2,100,000 referrals, 710,000 of which were to address housing insecurity and homelessness. 2-1-1 providers across the state demonstrated their capabilities as experienced responders who are able to scale their infrastructure and offer new services quickly, such as addressing rising food insecurity and assisting people for whom online forms presented language, digital literacy, or internet access challenges.
(j)The limited emergency funding established under Senate Bill 1212 (Chapter 841 of the Statutes of 2016) expired on January 1, 2023, which put at risk the access of 17 rural and geographically diverse counties to 2-1-1 services. These counties and their 500,000 residents are especially vulnerable to natural disasters, such as wildfires, and thus have a greater need for expanded 2-1-1 services.
(k)The Legislature further finds and declares that every county in California needs full-time access to 2-1-1 information and referral services that use curated local resource information and that state funding is necessary to foster greater capacity, coordination, and alignment among all 2-1-1 providers in order to create a statewide health and human services navigation network, to improve its disaster preparedness, response, and recovery system, and to facilitate the reach of local services to vulnerable populations.
(l)It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this act, to establish a statewide council advisory committee to support the equitable access to and coordination of 2-1-1 services statewide.
SEC. 2.Chapter 16.6 (commencing with Section 18998.6) is added to Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:16.6.2-1-1 Infrastructure Act 18998.6.This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the 2-1-1 Infrastructure Act.
18998.7.For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)2-1-1 means the three-digit telephone number designated by the Public Utilities Commission for the purpose of connecting individuals to local community resources.
(b)Council Committee means the 2-1-1 Strategic Council Advisory Committee established pursuant to Section 18998.8.
(c)Office means the Office of Planning and Research.
18998.8.The office shall establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Council. Advisory Committee under the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications. To the extent possible, council committee members will reflect Californias diverse geography and populations. The council committee shall be composed of all of the following members:
(a)The Director of State Planning and Research, or the directors designee.
(b)The Director of Health Care Services, or the directors designee.
(c)The Director of Social Services, or the directors designee.
(d)The Director of Housing and Community Development, or the directors designee.
(e)The Director of Emergency Services, or the directors designee.
(f)The executive director of the California Workforce Development Board, or the directors designee.
(g)The Director of Civil Rights, or the directors designee.
(h)The Director of the California Department of Aging, or the directors designee.
(i)A representative of the statewide 2-1-1 coordinating entity identified by the Public Utilities Commission in Decision 11-09-016.
(j)At least three representatives of community-based organizations that represent vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Seniors.
(2)Farmworkers.
(3)Immigrants.
(4)Justice-involved communities.
(5)Children and youth.
(6)Individuals with disabilities.
(k)A member of the public with lived experience in utilizing 2-1-1 services.
(l)At least two city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services.
18998.9.The council committee shall have all of the following duties:
(a)Identify and review the activities and funding programs of member state agencies that may be coordinated with to improve access to state services and programs and maximize 2-1-1 infrastructure. infrastructure, especially as it relates to populations experiencing housing insecurity.
(b)Identify and establish an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations.
(c)Recommend policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature, and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience, and increase public health and safety.
(d)Establish a 2-1-1 portal to showcase emerging data trends.
(e)Encourage collaboration between the 2-1-1, 9-1-1, and 9-8-8 systems.
(f)Serve as the coordinating body for any federal 2-1-1 investments or initiatives.
18998.10.The councils committees meetings shall be open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
18998.11.This chapter shall be implemented only to the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act or another statute, or are made available for this purpose from federal sources.
REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)In order to create a statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery system and to facilitate the reach of local services to vulnerable populations, this act is hereby established to create the 2-1-1 Strategic Council to recommend policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature, and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience, and promote public health and safety.
(b)2-1-1 is a free-to-use information and referral service that connects people in covered areas to health and human services in their community. First established in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 2-1-1 service is fully deployed in 41 California counties and partially deployed in 17 rural counties, activated only when a state of emergency has been declared.
(c)Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. The FCC, pursuant to its existing authority over the North American Numbering Plan, has established several abbreviated dialing codes, including designating the number 9-1-1 for persons to dial to obtain emergency services, designating the number 3-1-1 for persons to dial for nonemergency police assistance, and designating the number 2-1-1 for persons to dial to obtain information about, and referral to, community social services.
(d)Pursuant to authority delegated by the FCC to state regulatory bodies and its existing statutory authority, the PUC has established procedures for implementing 2-1-1 dialing in California, including designating qualifying entities to manage 2-1-1 service in the state.
(e)Every day, thousands of Californians contact 2-1-1 operators who are trained to connect callers to services in their community. 2-1-1 is available to people of all income levels, languages, and cultural backgrounds and is a critical gateway for federal, state, and localized information and resources to all communities for services such as shelter, food, health care, and support during times of emergency or disaster.
(f)During times of economic uncertainty as well as disasters, the demand for rapid response resources, complex case management, and coordination increases significantly. In many cases, individuals and families who have not had to use health and social services find themselves struggling to navigate various systems of care. 2-1-1 acts as the community front door in these cases, ensuring individuals are referred and connected to appropriate local agencies and community organizations.
(g)2-1-1 service increases the reach of government, nonprofits, and community programs by offering callers information on, and access to, a variety of health and human services, rent and utility assistance, physical and mental health resources, employment opportunities, support for older Americans and persons with disabilities, and support for families with special needs.
(h)2-1-1 is a hub for disaster-related information and plays a critical role during emergencies and disasters, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and epidemics, reducing nonemergency call volume on 9-1-1 lines, which frees up emergency responders to address true life-or-death situations, thus effectively leveraging local public safety resources.
(i)In 2022 alone, 2-1-1 providers took on the challenge of obtaining additional resources and were able to make 2,000,000 connections via telephone call and made over 2,100,000 referrals, 710,000 of which were to address housing insecurity and homelessness. 2-1-1 providers across the state demonstrated their capabilities as experienced responders who are able to scale their infrastructure and offer new services quickly, such as addressing rising food insecurity and assisting people for whom online forms presented language, digital literacy, or internet access challenges.
(j)The limited emergency funding established under Senate Bill 1212 (Chapter 841 of the Statutes of 2016) expired on January 1, 2023, which put at risk the access of 17 rural and geographically diverse counties to 2-1-1 services. These counties and their 500,000 residents are especially vulnerable to natural disasters, such as wildfires, and thus have a greater need for expanded 2-1-1 services.
(k)The Legislature further finds and declares that every county in California needs full-time access to 2-1-1 information and referral services that use curated local resource information and that state funding is necessary to foster greater capacity, coordination, and alignment among all 2-1-1 providers in order to create a statewide health and human services navigation network, to improve its disaster preparedness, response, and recovery system, and to facilitate the reach of local services to vulnerable populations.
(l)It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this act, to establish a statewide council to support the equitable access to and coordination of 2-1-1 services statewide.
SEC. 2.Chapter 16.6 (commencing with Section 18998.6) is added to Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:16.6.2-1-1 Infrastructure Act 18998.6.This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the 2-1-1 Infrastructure Act.
18998.7.For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)2-1-1 means the three-digit telephone number designated by the Public Utilities Commission for the purpose of connecting individuals to local community resources.
(b)Council means the 2-1-1 Strategic Council established pursuant to Section 18998.8.
(c)Office means the Office of Planning and Research.
18998.8.The office shall establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Council. To the extent possible, council members will reflect Californias diverse geography and populations. The council shall be composed of all of the following members:
(a)The Director of State Planning and Research, or the directors designee.
(b)The Director of Health Care Services, or the directors designee.
(c)The Director of Social Services, or the directors designee.
(d)The Director of Housing and Community Development, or the directors designee.
(e)The Director of Emergency Services, or the directors designee.
(f)The executive director of the California Workforce Development Board, or the directors designee.
(g)The Director of Civil Rights, or the directors designee.
(h)The Director of the California Department of Aging, or the directors designee.
(i)A representative of the statewide 2-1-1 coordinating entity identified by the Public Utilities Commission in Decision 11-09-016.
(j)At least three representatives of community-based organizations that represent vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Seniors.
(2)Farmworkers.
(3)Immigrants.
(4)Justice-involved communities.
(5)Children and youth.
(6)Individuals with disabilities.
(k)A member of the public with lived experience in utilizing 2-1-1 services.
(l)At least two city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services.
18998.9.The council shall have the following duties:
(a)Identify and review the activities and funding programs of member state agencies that may be coordinated with to improve access to state services and programs and maximize 2-1-1 infrastructure.
(b)Identify and establish an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations.
(c)Recommend policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature, and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of Californias 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience, and increase public health and safety.
(d)Establish a 2-1-1 portal to showcase emerging data trends.
(e)Encourage collaboration between the 2-1-1, 9-1-1, and 9-8-8 systems.
(f)Serve as the coordinating body for any federal 2-1-1 investments or initiatives.
18998.10.The councils meetings shall be open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
18998.11.This chapter shall be implemented only to the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act or another statute, or are made available for this purpose from federal sources.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May 8, 2024 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 25, 2024 | Coauthors revised. |
| Apr 25, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 16, 2024 | Re-referred to Com. on C. & C. |
| Apr 15, 2024 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on C. & C. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 9, 2024 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Mar 11, 2024 | Referred to Com. on C. & C. |
| Feb 17, 2024 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 18. |
| Feb 16, 2024 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2024 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| 211 California | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| 211 LA County | ** Support | |
| 211 Plus | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| Community Action Partnership of Kern | ** Support | |
| Contra Costa Crisis Center | ** Support | |
| County Of Santa Clara | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| Eden I&R, Inc. | ** Support | |
| Family Resource & Referral Center | ** Support | |
| Info Line of San Diego County | ** Support | |
| Inland SoCal United Way | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| Inland Southern California United Way | ** Support | |
| Jewish Family Service of the Desert | ** Support | |
| Orange County | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| Proteus, Inc. | ** Support | |
| Reach Out | ** Support | |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley | ** Support | |
| St. Joseph's Family Center | ** Support | |
| United Way Bay Area | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| United Way Monterey County | ** Support | |
| United Way of Northern California | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
| United Way of Ventura County | ** Support | |
| United Ways Of California | * Support | Apr 24, 2024 |
Date of Hearing: May 8, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 3020
Author:(Reyes) – As Amended Ver:April 15, 2024
Policy Committee: | Communications and Conveyance | Vote: | 11 - 0 |
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| ||
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill establishes the 2-1-1 Strategic Advisory Committee.
Specifically, this bill directs the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Advisory Committee (2-1-1 SAC) under the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications.
The bill charges the 2-1-1 SAC with (a) identifying and reviewing the activities and funding programs of member state agencies that may be coordinated with to improve access to state services and programs and maximize 2-1-1 infrastructure, especially as it relates to populations experiencing housing insecurity; (b) identifying and establishing an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations; (c) recommending policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of California’s 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience and increase public health and safety; (d) establishing a 2-1-1 portal to showcase emerging data trends; € encouraging collaboration between the 2-1-1, 9-1-1, and 9-8-8 systems; and (f) serving as the coordinating body for any federal 2-1-1 investments or initiatives
The 2-1-1 SAC is to reflect California’s diverse geography and populations and be composed of all of the following members: (a) the director of OPR; (b) The Director of Health Care Services; (c) the Director of Social Services; (d) the Director of Housing and Community Development; (e) The Director of Emergency Services; (f) the executive director of the California Workforce Development Board; (g) the Director of Civil Rights; (h) the Director of the California Department of Aging; (i) a representative of the statewide 2-1-1 coordinating entity identified by the Public Utilities Commission in Decision 11-09-016; (j) at least three representatives of community-based organizations that represent vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, seniors, farmworkers, immigrants, justice-involved communities, children and youth, and individuals with disabilities; (k) a member of the public with lived experience in utilizing 2-1-1 services; and (l) at least two city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services.
FISCAL EFFECT:
- OPR estimates it will need 8.5 fulltime positions to implement this bill, at an annual cost of approximately $1.9 million the first year and $1.8 million on going (General Fund). One-time costs include $120,000 to develop the data portal, while ongoing costs include OPR staff to oversee the 2-1-1 SAC and public meetings, among other duties.
According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the GF faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.
- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) estimates annul costs of $210,000 for one regulatory analyst to develop criteria and guidelines for reasonable cost recovery and reimbursements to 2-1-1 service provider’s costs, monitor the progress of 2-1-1 service provider implementation in unserved counties, attend 2-1-1 service provider public meetings, prepare reports on the 2-1-1, review and analyze annual reports and process reimbursements to 2-1-1 service providers (Public Utilities Commission Utilities Reimbursement Account).
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. The author intends this bill to increase the usefulness of the 2-1-1 telephone service, which the author describes as “a vital resource connecting individuals with essential community services and resources and serves as a centralized hub where people can seek assistance with various needs, including health, housing and other human services.” According to the author, “AB 3020 would strengthen this invaluable resource by fostering collaboration between 2-1-1 providers and state entities, ultimately improving the accessibility and effectiveness of services statewide.”
- Background. 2‑1‑1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community services and provides referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 2‑1‑1 also provides disaster preparedness, response and recovery during declared emergencies
State law charges the CPUC with regulating telephone corporations. Following action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2000, which reserved the 2-1-1 dialing code and encouraged states to implement dialing access for information and referral services, the CPUC issued an order providing counties should lead establishment of 2-1-1 services, established procedures for implementing 2‑1‑1 dialing in California and directed any organization seeking to provide 2-1-1 services to apply to the commission for authority to use the 2-1-1 dialing code.
Since then, the CPUC has authorized 2‑1‑1 dialing service in 52 counties, covering 98.5% of California’s population. The CPUC reports that the latest county to be granted authorization was Placer County, in March 2020.
Analysis Prepared by: Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 24, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND CONVEYANCE
Tasha Boerner, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 3020 (
Author:Reyes) – As Amended Ver:April 15, 2024
SUBJECT: 2-1-1 Infrastructure Act
SUMMARY: This bill would require the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Advisory Committee, as specified.
Specifically, this bill:
- States findings and declarations of the Legislature regarding 2-1-1.
- Requires the Office of Planning and Research to establish and convene the 2-1-1 Strategic Council under the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications.
- Specifies that council members will reflect California’s diverse geography and populations, and be composed of at least 14 specified members including:
- The Directors of various state agencies.
- A representative of the statewide 2-1-1 coordinating entity.
- At least three representatives from community based organizations.
- A member of the public with lived experience utilizing 2-1-1 service.
- At least two city or county officials with knowledge or experience with local 2-1-1 programs and services.
- Assigns duties to the council, as specified, including:
- Identify and review the activities and funding programs of member state agencies that may be coordinated with to improve access to state services and programs and maximize 2-1-1 infrastructure, especially related to populating experiencing housing insecurity.
- Identify and establish an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations.
- Recommend policies and priorities to the Governor, the Legislature, and to appropriate state agencies to encourage the development of California’s 2-1-1 infrastructure to promote equity, strengthen wildfire resilience, and increase public health and safety.
- Requires that the council’s meetings shall be open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.
- Specifies that this bill shall be implemented only to the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose in the annual Budget Act or another statute, or are made available for this purpose from federal sources
EXISTING LAW:
- Provides that the CPUC may supervise and regulate every public utility in the State and may do all things that are “necessary and convenient” in the supervision and regulation of public utilities. (Public Utilities Code § 701)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill has been keyed fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
- Author’s Statement. According to the author: “AB 3020 aims to foster a collaborative environment between 211 providers and state agencies in order to improve community support and resource accessibility throughout California. By establishing the state's inaugural 211 Advisory Council under the Office of Planning and Research, this bill lays the groundwork for long-term cohesion, ensuring that vital services reach those in need efficiently and effectively. The 211 service is a vital resource connecting individuals with essential community services and resources and serves as a centralized hub where people can seek assistance with various needs, including health, housing and other human services. This act reflects our commitment to strengthening the network of support available to Californians statewide and plays a critical role in enhancing community well-being by ensuring that individuals have access to the support they require, particularly during times of crisis or uncertainty. AB 3020 would strengthen this invaluable resource by fostering collaboration between 211 providers and state entities, ultimately improving the accessibility and effectiveness of services statewide.”
- What is 2-1-1? 2‑1‑1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community services. The number connects callers to information and services, including referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 2‑1‑1 also provides disaster preparedness, response, and recovery during declared emergencies.
2-1-1 was first established in 2000 following a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order, which reserved the 2-1-1 dialing code for providing non-emergency community information and referral (I&R) services. The FCC’s order[1] recognized and encouraged the states to implement 2‑1‑1 dialing for access to I&R services. In response, the CPUC issued a decision[2] implementing 2-1-1 in California. To provide 2-1-1 service, providers and entities first apply to the CPUC for authority to provide these services. Under the decision, 2-1-1 services are operated by county-based entities that coordinate with local human services agencies and by providers who connect callers to local community services. Each individual service provider is responsible for establishing and maintaining a database of community service programs and agencies for the county or counties it serves and updates the database at least once annually.
- 2-1-1 Funding Challenges. According to the CPUC, 6 counties, representing approximately 0.5% of California’s population, still lack 2-1-1 service. Under SB 1212 (Hueso. Chapter 841, Statutes of 2016) the CPUC was authorized until January 1, 2023, to expend up to $1,500,000 from the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund to help close 2-1-1 service gaps in counties lacking access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information and referral services, where technically feasible, through available 2-1-1 service. However, that authority has since expired although the problem with certain counties lacking service still persists. As a result, without dedicated funding or further action, 211 access may be even further restricted or eliminated in 17 rural counties[3] that currently only operate in the event of disasters. These counties and their roughly 500,000 residents are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as wildfires, mudslides and floods, creating a greater need for expanded 211 services.
Given the issue with unequitable deployment of 2-1-1 services across the state, this bill proposes to convene a committee that would create a statewide committee that could tackle the problem. Through joint collaboration between the state and 2-1-1 providers, the committee has the potential to create a more equitable alignment among providers across the state, in order to create a statewide health and human services navigation network, disaster preparedness, response, and recovery system, and to facilitate the reach of local services to vulnerable populations. However, all of this work will depend on funding to convene the committee and fund the programs at the county level.
- The duties of this commission would benefit from more detail. This bill would assign particular duties to the committee, including: identifying and establishing an ongoing funding source for statewide 2-1-1 infrastructure and operations; recommending policies and priorities to the Governor and Legislature; establishing a 2-1-1 portal to showcase emerging data trends; and serving as the coordinating body for any federal 2-1-1 investments or initiatives. While this bill assigns a breadth of duties to this agency, this bill does not provide any guidance on timing or even specify how often the committee should meet. Additionally, it is unclear how a committee would have the authority to establish an ongoing funding source for 2-1-1 unless that authority was specified in this bill, which it is not. Nonetheless, there are potentially federal funds that could be available for the purposes outlines in this bill[4]. Moving forward, the author may wish to consider providing more detail to these provisions of this bill to ensure the committee will achieve its objectives.
- Related/similar legislation.
- SB 319 (Ochoa-Bough) of 2023 would have required, upon appropriation, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to develop and administer the 2-1-1 Support Services Grant Program to stabilize, support, and expand 2-1-1 service to all areas of California. The bill was held in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
- SB 74 (Mitchell), Chapter 6, Statutes of 2020, & AB 74 (Ting), Chapter 23, Statutes of 2019, appropriated $1.5 million for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2024, for payment of claims related to expanding 2-1-1 services to unserved and underserved areas, and appropriated $1.5 million for liquidation of encumbrances until June 30, 2026, related to expanding 2-1-1 services to unserved and underserved areas.
- SB 1212 (Hueso), Chapter 841, Statutes of 2016, authorized the CPUC to expend up to $1.5 million from the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) Administrative Committee to help close telephone service gaps in counties lacking access to 2-1-1 referral service, including implementation of a coordinated publicly owned database.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
211 California
211 LA County
Community Action Partnership of Kern
Contra Costa Crisis Center
County of Santa Clara
Eden I&r, INC.
Family Resource & Referral Center
Info Line of San Diego County
Inland Southern California United Way
Jewish Family Service of The Desert
Proteus, INC.
Reach Out
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
St. Joseph's Family Center
United Way Fresno Madera Counties
United Way Monterey County
United Way of Merced County
United Way of Stanislaus County
United Way of Ventura County
United Ways of California
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Emilio Perez / C. & C. / (916) 319-2637
Federal Communications Commission. (2000). Third Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 00-256 / FCC 00-257 ↑
California Public Utilities Commission. (2003). Decision D0302029 Decision Establishing Policies and Procedures for Implementing 2-1-1 Dialing in California. ↑
The 17 counties include: Alpine, Colusa, Lake, Calaveras, Del Norte, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Amador, Trinity, Sutter, Plumas, Sierra, Tuolumne, and Yuba ↑
In 2024 the bipartisan Human-Services Emergency & Logistic Program (HELP) Act was introduced under HB 3498 and S.1729. If enacted, the bills would financially support both 211 and 988, including authorizing $350M in investments for the 211 network for two years and an additional $300M for 211 for four years after that. However, neither bill has been approved. ↑
Discussed in Hearing
7MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance
1MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance
33SEC
Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance
Bill Author
