Torres legislation passes hurdle

"Assembly Bills 423 and 912 have taken a big step toward becoming law," Torres said.

"They will bring much needed reforms to a 9-1-1 system that is burdened with a growing overload of emergency calls.

"Our 9-1-1 system is the first point of contact for people during emergencies, and these improvements are needed in order to ensure adequate response times."

AB 423 would improve the process for recruiting and training 9-1-1 dispatchers.

"The high turnover and vacancies of dispatcher positions have a negative impact on the system," Torres said.

The bill adds representatives of the state fire marshall and the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission to the state's 9-1-1 Advisory Commission.

"With these two new representatives, the commission will be better apt to provide expert advice on training and retention of dispatchers as part of their advisory board duties," Torres said.

AB 912 increases the administrative flexibility in the state's use of 9-1-1 surcharge funds by permitting those funds to be used for personnel recruitment and training costs on a limited basis.

"Funding flexibility that meets the real needs of the public for effective emergency communications is the kind of reform my constituents expect," Torres said.

"These measures begin the process of improving 9-1-1 service by enabling the state to address the challenges posed by growing population and new technology.

"The 9-1-1 system provides an essential service to the public."

Assembly Bill 423 will now move to the senate floor where approval will be sought before being sent to the governor for his signature to become law.

Assembly Bill 912 will have to be heard on Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation before being sent to the senate floor.

Torres is a Democrat who represents the 61st District, which includes Pomona, Chino, Montclair and Ontario.