(a) The office, in consultation with any persons that the office determines are relevant experts and stakeholders, shall complete a study to determine the feasibility of developing a statewide system that would enable all Californians, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other at-risk persons, to voluntarily provide vital health and safety information, with an encrypted connection, to be made available to all first responders in an emergency if a “911” call is placed.

(b) In considering the feasibility of the statewide system, the office shall consider all of the following in the study required by subdivision (a):

(1) That information submitted through the statewide system is confidential and not a public record. That the office and any third-party contractor or agent that assists with or administers the statewide system not disclose or otherwise communicate any or all information it receives from any person under the statewide system orally, in writing, or by electronic or any other means to a third party except to inform law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical service personnel at the scene of an emergency.

(2) That the technology used requires the person submitting the information to confirm the accuracy of that information and states that the information will be used only by public safety dispatch personnel and first responders solely for planning for and responding to emergencies would result in a “911” call.

(3) In order to maximize efficiency and contain costs, that the statewide system incorporate, if the office determines it is consistent with public safety and technologically feasible, shared infrastructure and elements of other public safety and emergency communication networks, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Public safety communications identified in the annual plan required by subdivision (b) of Section 15277.

(B) Local and regional public safety broadband networks authorized by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

(C) Public safety broadband networks authorized by the federal Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-96).

(D) Public safety radio and communications facilities used for the purpose of public warnings pursuant to Section 15254.

(c) The office shall determine an estimate of the funding necessary to plan, test, implement, operate, and maintain the statewide system on an annual basis. The office shall include the funding estimate in the report required by subdivision (d).

(d) The office shall, by January 1, 2021, submit the results of the study required by subdivision (a) in a report to the Legislature and the State 911 Advisory Board and make that report available to the public. The report to the Legislature shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 686, Sec. 1. (AB 911) Effective January 1, 2020.)