Section 12997.7.

(a) The agency, in consultation with the department, the office, county agricultural commissioners, local health officers, CUPAs, and affected community members, shall by August 31, 2005, establish minimum standard protocols for the purposes of amending area plans.

(b) The protocols shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Protocols for requesting and providing immediate access to pesticide-specific information necessary to assist emergency medical services personnel in identifying pesticides that may be causing a pesticide drift exposure incident and appropriate treatments.

(2) Protocols to delineate specific agency responsibilities and the process for responding to calls, notifying residents, and coordinating evacuation, if needed.

(3) Protocols to establish emergency shelter procedures and locations to be used in the event evacuation is needed.

(4) Protocols to access services in all languages known to be spoken in the affected area in accordance with Section 11135 of the Government Code.

(5) Protocols to ensure access to health care within 24 hours of the exposure and up to a week after the exposure.

(6) Protocols to notify medical providers regarding eligibility for reimbursement pursuant to Section 12997.5.

(c) The CUPA or administering agency shall amend the area plan for emergency response, pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25503, to specifically address pesticide drift exposure and to incorporate provisions of the protocols of subdivision (b).

(d) Upon the next scheduled update of the area plan, all CUPAs shall have incorporated a pesticide drift component into their area plan.

(e) The minimum standard protocols developed under subdivision (a) shall be in accordance with the California Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 913, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)