(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a state department that purchases public safety radio communication equipment shall ensure that the equipment purchased complies with applicable provisions of the following:
(1) The common system standards for digital public safety radio communications commonly referred to as the “Project 25 Standard,” as that standard may be amended, revised, or added to in the future jointly by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Inc., National Association of State Telecommunications Directors, and agencies of the federal government, commonly referred to as “APCO/NASTD/FED.”
(2) The operational and functional requirements delineated in the Statement of Requirements for Public Safety Wireless Communications and Interoperability developed by the SAFECOM Program under the United States Department of Homeland Security.
(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a local first response agency that purchases public safety radio communication equipment, in whole or in part, with state funds or federal funds administered by the state, shall ensure that the equipment purchased complies with paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a).
(c) Subdivision (a) or (b) shall not apply to either of the following:
(1) Purchases of equipment to operate with existing state or local communications systems where the latest applicable standard will not be compatible, as verified by the Office of Emergency Services.
(2) Purchases of equipment for existing statewide low-band public safety communications systems.
(d) This section may not be construed to require an affected state or local governmental agency to compromise its immediate mission or ability to function and carry out its existing responsibilities.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 28, Sec. 7. (SB 71) Effective June 27, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 93 of Ch. 28.)