(a) The State Department of Public Health shall develop a plan with recommendations and guidelines for counties to use in the case of a significant air quality event caused by wildfires or other sources. The plan shall address all of the following:

(1) Establishing policies and procedures that address respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Whether to make respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices available to county residents.

(B) Whether to have stockpiles of respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices available for distribution.

(C) Where to obtain respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices, if stockpiling.

(D) How to distribute respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices, if stockpiling.

(E) How to educate the public on when to use respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices.

(F) Educating the public on keeping respiratory protection and other protective equipment in their homes, offices, and cars.

(2) Making available respiratory protection and other protective equipment and devices to residents that are sensitive receptors and are at risk of serious illness or complications resulting from inhaling highly polluted air from a significant air quality event caused by wildfires or other sources.

(3) Providing information to residents on what they should do if the air quality index hits a significant threshold.

(4) Providing information to residents regarding the health impacts of inhaling air pollution during a significant air quality event caused by wildfires or other sources.

(5) Developing prevention strategies to assist residents in avoiding inhalation of air pollutants.

(6) Disseminating the information in this subdivision to the public.

(b) The recommendations in the plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include guidance about how a county, including a city and county, informs its residents about all of the following:

(1) Unhealthy air quality.

(2) The Air Quality Index.

(3) The effect of air pollution on an individual’s health, including the symptoms someone may experience and where to go for medical assistance.

(4) Where an individual can obtain protective respiratory protection and other protective equipment.

(5) How and when to use respiratory protection and other protective equipment.

(6) How and when an individual needing oxygen or respiratory medications can obtain oxygen or respiratory medications.

(7) How to protect children, seniors, the disabled, the homebound, the homeless, those working outdoors, tourists, visitors, non-English speakers, and any others who may have difficulty obtaining or using masks or other protective equipment without assistance.

(8) Any other information that is useful for an individual to protect their health, and the health of their loved ones, in the case of significantly poor air quality caused by wildfires or other sources.

(c) The plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall also include best practices and recommended protocols for reaching out to inform the general public about the recommendations and guidelines and shall include best practices and recommended protocols for reaching out specifically to vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, elderly, disabled, and homebound.

(d) The department shall develop the plan, pursuant to subdivision (a), in consultation with key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of all of the following:

(1) Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

(2) State Air Resources Board.

(3) Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

(4) California Department of Aging.

(5) State Department of Developmental Services.

(6) Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

(7) Medical professionals focused on respiratory health, pulmonology, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.

(8) Small and large air pollution districts.

(9) Counties.

(10) Cities.

(11) Hospitals.

(12) Business organizations.

(13) Nonprofit organizations involved in respiratory health.

(14) Nonprofit organizations working on behalf of issues for individuals with disabilities.

(15) Nonprofit organizations working on behalf of issues for the homeless.

(16) Nonprofit organizations working on behalf of issues for seniors.

(e) The plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall supplement any resources developed by the department, on or before the effective date of this section, for counties to use in the case of a significant air quality event caused by wildfires or other sources.

(f) For purposes of this chapter, “a significant air quality event” is defined as the period of time in which the duration of exposure and the level of particulate matter, or other indicators of air quality, are likely to result in negative health impacts.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 412, Sec. 3. (AB 619) Effective January 1, 2022.)