(a) When any Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies has imposed additional fees on vehicles pursuant to Section 2555 of the Streets and Highways Code, the authority may contract with the department or a private or public entity to handle calls originating from the authority’s motorist aid call box system.
(b) (1) If the contract is with the department, its terms shall comply with the requirements specified in paragraph (2) for the system on the portions of the California Freeway and Expressway System and on county roads in rural, unincorporated areas of the county and on state highway routes that connect segments of these systems, if they are located within the county in which the authority is established and the Department of the California Highway Patrol has law enforcement responsibility over them.
(2) The contract shall contain guidelines, as jointly agreed to between the authority and the department, following consultation with the authority, for services to be provided, including, but not limited to, reporting requirements, immediate transfer of emergency calls and traffic management information to the department, computer interface capability with the department, performance standards, and coordination with the eligible tow service providers.
(c) If the contract is with a private or public entity, the authority shall ensure that the specifications in the “CHP/Cal Trans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines” are met and coordinate with the department to determine which calls will be transferred to it for response. The authority shall reimburse the department for all costs incurred under this subdivision in accordance with the “CHP/Cal Trans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines.” If an authority has a contract with a private or public entity having a commencement date of July 1, 2003, or prior, the performance standards of those contracts shall remain in effect until modifications are made to the applicable sections of the statewide guidelines.
(d) The authority may contract with the Department of the California Highway Patrol to perform duties as mutually agreed by the parties.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 374, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2004.)