Emergency services: access and functional needs in emergencies.

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 plan" for purposes of emergency services provided by local governments. Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to work with specified entities to improve communication with deaf and hearing-impaired persons during emergencies. This bill would require each county, including a city and county, to integrate access and functional needs, 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 these statutory provisions.