This bill would require State agencies to make available on their Internet web sites on or before July 1, 1998, a plain-language form through which residents of California could register complaints relating to the performance of that agency. The bill would also require agencies to provide certain information, including instructions on how to file the complaint either electronically or by downloading and mailing.

The State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS) maintains an Internet web site and provides an electronic mail address which interested parties may access to communicate with STRS on subjects of a general nature. Since this service is not encrypted, STRS advises clients not to transmit personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, address, etc.) because of uncertain security on the Internet without encryption at this time. Therefore, inquiries that are specific to an individual must be made through the traditional correspondence process to ensure confidentiality.

Currently, STRS does not make any forms available for client use through the Internet. However, work is underway to make certain forms available in the near future.

While AB-206 would require State agencies to make a complaint form available on the Internet, agencies would have discretion to allow the form to be filed electronically, or to require that the form be downloaded and mailed in the traditional manner. STRS would likely require the form to be downloaded and mailed in order to assure the confidentiality of individual clients. This scenario would require a minimal implementation effort.

If agencies were required to allow electronic filing of the complaint form it would raise questions for STRS regarding security and maintenance of client confidentiality. Implementation under this scenario could require costly measures to address virus protection, database maintenance for controlling and managing complaints received, software/mainframe integration, and additional staff resources for Internet access.

The bill appears to contain a typographical error on page 2, line 25. The date by which agencies would have to comply with the provisions of the bill is stated as July 1, 1988. It is probable that the intended date is July 1, 1998, which would be consistent with the date of compliance stated on page 3, line 7 of the bill.

Program - STRS would not incur any additional program costs in making a complaint form available on the Internet for downloading and mailing in the traditional manner.

Administrative - Administrative costs associated with making a complaint form available on the Internet for downloading and mailing in the traditional manner would be minor and absorbable.

The Teachers' Retirement Board has adopted a neutral position on Assembly Bill 206. STRS would not incur any additional program costs in making a complaint form available on the Internet for downloading and mailing in the traditional manner.

 
Assembly Bill 206 posted: June 26, 1997