Assemblymember Cervantes Bill to Address the Needs of Vulnerable Populations in Emergency Planning Signed Into Law
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2730 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) into law. AB 2730 will facilitate local partnerships to allow counties and cities to improve emergency response by sharing logistical resources to evacuate members of our vulnerable populations when natural disasters or public health emergencies occur in our state.
In October of 2019, the Hill Fire caused forced evacuations in affected areas of Jurupa Valley, which included a nursing care facility. Local media coverage displayed facility staff, caregivers, and first responders helping to evacuate elderly residents, many confined to wheelchairs and beds. With only minutes to evacuate, it was reported that caregivers and sheriff’s deputies were loading residents into their own cars to take them to a nearby evacuation center.
Later that year, the California State Auditor released an audit highlighting deficiencies in state and local emergency preparations for addressing the needs of people with access and functional needs. Among other things, the report emphasized the need for counties to fully assess and prearrange to obtain the resources it would need in responding to a disaster. This includes entering into an agreement with an adjacent county to secure the transportation and other resources required to carry out the proper evacuation of our access and functional needs population.
Under current law, counties are required to integrate access and functional needs into their emergency plans by addressing how these populations are served by emergency communications, evacuation, and sheltering. AB 2730 will facilitate local partnerships to allow counties and cities to share logistical resources — including paratransit vehicles, drivers, and medical equipment — to quickly evacuate members of vulnerable populations when disasters strike by providing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will allow local governments to be better prepared and properly resourced to meet the needs of California’s vulnerable populations, including the elderly, foster youth, and individuals with developmental or physical disabilities.
“As California experiences increasingly severe wildfires, now more than ever, it is imperative that our state is well equipped to protect all Californians from the threat of future disasters,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “I am grateful that Governor Newsom has signed my Assembly Bill 2730. During a government-declared state of emergency, collaborations between local governments and their paratransit services are vital to securing the health and livelihood of everyone in our communities.”
AB 2730 was approved by both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support. The provisions of the bill will go into effect on January 1, 2021. You can find more information about the bill here.
Sabrina Cervantes is a mother who proudly represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, a portion of Riverside, and the unincorporated communities of Coronita, El Cerrito, and Home Gardens. Cervantes serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy.
You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or see her website here.
