Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program.

Existing law establishes the Comprehensive Statewide Domestic Violence Program in the Office of Emergency Services to, among other things, provide local assistance to existing service providers and to establish a targeted or directed program for the development and establishment of domestic violence services in currently unserved and underserved areas. Existing law requires the office to provide financial and technical assistance to local domestic violence centers in implementing specified services, including 24-hour crisis hotlines. This bill would require the office to provide financial and technical assistance to local domestic violence centers in implementing 24-hour crisis communication systems that, in addition to 24-hour telephone services, may also include other communication methods offered on a 24-hour or intermittent basis, such as text messaging, computer chat, or any other technology approved by the office. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 13823.15 of the Penal Code proposed by AB 673 to be operative only if this bill and AB 673 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.