State agencies: toll-free and non-toll-free telephone lines: Department of Technology.

Existing law authorizes a state agency, with the approval of the Department of General Services, to install and operate toll-free telephone lease lines to provide access by the public and local governmental agencies and requires information made available on a toll-free telephone lease line to be accessible by both tone dial and rotary dial telephone. Existing law requires the department to adopt guidelines for the use of toll-free lease lines by state agencies as are necessary to promote the efficient use of the toll-free lease lines. This bill would repeal this provision. This bill would require a state agency to transition from the use of toll-free telephone numbers to non-toll-free telephone numbers as the primary method for the public to make a voice call to contact the agency. The bill would require a state agency, no later than July 1, 2025, to update its internet website to post the non-toll-free telephone number on its internet website, as specified. The bill would require a state agency, when updating a publication with information about how the public can contact the agency, to include the non-toll-free telephone number. The bill would require a state agency to operate a toll-free telephone number offered to the public as a method of making a voice call to contact the agency on the effective date of the bill. The bill would require a state agency, when implementing these provisions, to ensure equitable access to the agency by all members of the public, as specified. Existing law establishes the Department of Technology within the Government Operations Agency. Existing law requires the department to be generally responsible for the approval and oversight of information technology projects, including, among other things, establishing and maintaining a framework of policies, procedures, and requirements for the initiation, approval, implementation, management, oversight, and continuation of information technology projects. This bill would authorize a state agency, with approval of the department, to install and operate a toll-free or non-toll-free telephone line to enable the public to make a voice call to contact the agency, as specified. The bill would require the department to adopt guidelines for the use of toll-free and non-toll-free telephone lines by state agencies as are necessary to promote the efficient use of the telephone lines.