The California Emergency Services Act generally prescribes duties with regard to various types of emergencies and disasters. The act requires the Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with specified persons and entities, including the access and functional needs community, to develop guidelines for alerting and warning the public of an emergency, as specified, and then to provide those guidelines to each city, county, and city and county. If a state of emergency is proclaimed, the act authorizes an eligible private nonprofit organization to receive state assistance for distribution of supplies and other disaster or emergency assistance activities resulting in extraordinary cost, as specified.
This bill would require eligible area agencies on aging and independent living centers that provide transportation and evacuation services to individuals with access and functional needs during a state of emergency to be prioritized for the state assistance described above.
Existing law establishes an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program, administered by the California Department of Aging, to provide information to consumers and their families on available long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs and to assist older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities in accessing LTSS programs at the local level. Existing law requires ADRC programs to provide specified services, including, among other things, enhanced information and referral services and other assistance at hours that are convenient for the public.
This bill would further require ADRC programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training specifically designed to help older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies and ensure their safety before, during, and after natural disasters and other emergency events, as specified.

Statutes affected:
03/26/25 - Amended Senate: 8692 GOV, 8692 GOV, 9120 WIC, 9120 WIC