Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 477 by Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) into law, ensuring that representatives from access and functional-needs populations are included in local emergency transportation planning.

Current law defines the “access and functional needs population” as individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic conditions, injuries or limited English proficiency, or those who are pregnant; non-English speaking; older adults; children; people living in institutionalized settings; or those who are low income, homeless or transportation disadvantaged, including those who are dependent on public transit.

State law authorizes cities and counties to create disaster councils to develop plans for meeting any condition constituting a local emergency or state of emergency, including earthquakes, natural or man-made disasters specific to that jurisdiction, or state-of-war emergencies.

However, there are inconsistencies across the state regarding emergency management planning for vulnerable communities, Cervantes said, and natural disasters disproportionately affect individuals with access and functional needs.

In the recent wildfires that ravaged the state, it was found that those impacted were disproportionately seniors and individuals with disabilities, who are often among those left behind to suffer, Cervantes said. AB 477 seeks to change this by requiring cities and counties to include representatives and members of the access and functional needs population ­– including social services agencies, nonprofit organizations and transportation providers – to their respective emergency plans upon the next update.

“I am grateful that Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 477. As a state, we must strive to understand the needs of our most vulnerable communities throughout all phases of emergency response operations,” Cervantes said. “AB 477 is an important step towards the inclusion of our access and functional needs populations in both the implementation and execution of emergency planning to ensure the safety of all Californians. Forging collaborative partnerships with stakeholders that directly work with access and functional needs populations is necessary to achieving this goal.”

The provisions of AB 477 will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

For information, visit a60.asmdc.org.