Statewide strategic stockpile.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health to implement various programs throughout the state relating to public health. This bill would require the State Department of Public Health, in coordination with the Office of Emergency Services, medical health operational area coordinators, regional disaster medical and health coordinators, and other state agencies, to establish a statewide strategic stockpile. The bill would require the department, in coordination with the Office of Emergency Services, to establish guidelines for the procurement, management, and distribution of medicine, vaccines, and dental and medical supplies, taking into account, among other things, the amount of each type of item required for a sustained health emergency. The bill would authorize the department to enter into contracts with private entities for the procurement or reservation of supplies and for management and distribution of the stockpile. The bill would require the department to report annually to the Legislature, and others, the amount of items in the stockpile, the amount of items from the stockpile that have been used, the amount of anticipated future usage, the status of existing contracts with private entities that fulfill the procurement guidelines, and information regarding items reserved through those private entities. By creating new duties for medical health operational area coordinators and regional disaster medical and health coordinators, the 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.