Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) with regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires local public agencies to establish a “9-1-1” emergency telephone number, as specified. Existing law also authorizes a local public agency to establish a nonemergency “3-1-1” telephone system. Under existing federal law, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated “2-1-1” to be the national abbreviated dialing code to provide access to nonemergency community information and referral services. 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.

This bill would require the PUC to convene state emergency planning agencies and the 2-1-1 lead entity appointed by the PUC to establish communication channels between state emergency planning agencies, the 2-1-1 lead entity, and 2-1-1 providers and to integrate 2-1-1 into the state emergency planning and emergency communications processes, as provided. The bill would require the PUC to support 2-1-1 providers in, among other things, enhancing critical 2-1-1 system capacity and service quality through core operating support, providing equitable access to 2-1-1 dialing and services, publishing a statewide 2-1-1 community needs data dashboard for use by state agencies, developing aligned systems and protocols with 9-1-1 and 9-8-8, and implementing the duties of the 2-1-1 lead entity, as provided. The bill would require the 2-1-1 entity to conduct statewide 2-1-1 system activities, provide funding, if available, to local 2-1-1 providers, and provide annual reports to the PUC, as specified. The bill would require the PUC to annually communicate 2-1-1 system funding needs to the Department of Finance and Governor’s office for consideration in state budget planning. The bill would require the PUC to convene relevant state agencies, utilities, advocates, and persons involved in th 2-1-1 system to, among other things, evaluate current utility financial assistance, savings, and discount program awareness, referral practices, and outcomes, as provided. The bill would create in the State Treasury the 2-1-1 Fund to be used for purposes of these provisions.