Bill Text: CA SB160 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 160 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Emergency services: cultural competence.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 402, Statutes of 2019. [SB160 Detail]

Download: California-2019-SB160-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 160

Introduced by Senator Jackson
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Limón)

January 24, 2019

An act to add Section 8593.3.5 to the Government Code, relating to emergencies.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 160, as introduced, Jackson. Emergency services: cultural competence.

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 defines the terms “political subdivision” and “emergency plans” for purposes of emergency services provided by local governments. Existing law requires a county, upon the next update to its emergency plan, to integrate access and functional needs into its emergency plan, as specified.

This bill would require a county to integrate cultural competence, as defined, into its emergency plan, upon the next update to its emergency plan, as specified. 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 8593.3.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8593.3.5.

(a) A county, including a city and county, shall, upon the next update to its emergency plan, integrate cultural competence into its emergency plan by addressing, at a minimum, how all cultural populations within its jurisdiction are served by the following:

(1) Emergency communications, including the integration of interpreters and translators.

(2) Emergency evacuation and sheltering.

(3) Emergency mitigation and prevention.

(4) Emergency planning, including drawing on community-based values and customs, and incorporating qualified representatives from diverse population groups in the community, during the planning process.

(5) Emergency preparedness, including the use of culturally appropriate resources and outreach techniques to educate and prepare community members for emergencies or disasters.

(b) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Cultural competence” means the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures in order to ensure that the needs of all community members are addressed. “Cultural competence” includes, but is not limited to, being respectful and responsive to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse population groups.

(2) “Culture” means, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, income level, education, geographic location, or profession.

SEC. 2.

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.