CA SB1212

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to expend up to $1,500,000 from the California Teleconnect Fund to expand 2-1-1 services to California counties currently lacking access to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery information and referral services.

Establishes legislative intent to facilitate expansion of 2-1-1 services statewide, particularly in rural areas, through a universally available telephone service connected to a comprehensive statewide database.

Identifies that 20 rural California counties currently lack 2-1-1 access, and notes that existing 2-1-1 service covers 38 counties and operates 24/7 with multilingual staff to provide information on health, human services, emergency care, and disaster assistance.

Allows 2-1-1 California (the lead entity appointed by the commission) to apply for funding to support local implementation of coordinated databases owned by cities or counties for nonemergency disaster planning, recovery, and response referrals.

Sunsets the authorization for these expenditures on January 1, 2023.