SB 990: Office of Emergency Services: State Emergency Plan: LGBTQ+ individuals.

Under existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, the State Emergency Plan is the official document approved by the Governor that describes the principles and methods to be applied in carrying out emergency operations or rendering mutual aid during emergencies, and includes elements addressing continuity of government, the emergency services of governmental agencies, mobilization of resources, mutual aid, and public information. Existing law makes the State Emergency Plan effective in each political subdivision of the state, and requires the governing body of each political subdivision to take necessary actions to carry out its provisions. Existing law requires the Governor to coordinate the State Emergency Plan and those programs necessary for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency in this state and to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency by the political subdivisions of this state, which are to be integrated into and coordinated with the State Emergency Plan and the plans and programs of the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible extent.

Existing law establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the office of the Governor and requires the office to be responsible for the states emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies, including responsibility for activities necessary to prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of emergencies and disasters to people and property. Existing law requires the office to update the State Emergency Plan on or before January 1, 2019, and every 5 years thereafter, and, when updating the plan, to coordinate with specified representatives from the access and functional needs population regarding the integration of access and functional needs into the State Emergency Plan. Existing law also requires the office, on or before July 31, 2015, to update the State Emergency Plan to include proposed best practices for local governments and nongovernmental entities to use to mobilize and evacuate people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs during an emergency or natural disaster.

This bill would require the office, as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2029, and every 5 years thereafter, to update the State Emergency Plan to include proposed policies and best practices for local government and nongovernmental entities to equitably serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and plus (LGBTQ+) communities during an emergency or natural disaster. The bill would require the office to coordinate with specified representatives from LGBTQ+ communities in complying with this requirement and would make related findings and declarations.