California Citizen Complaint Act of 1997

Chapter 5.1 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code provides the Citizen Complaint Act of 1997. Government Code Section 8330 provides the title of the act and requires all state agencies that have Internet websites to implement this act in a manner that is consistent with the statewide strategy for electronic commerce as established by the Department of Information Technology.

Government Code Section 8331 requires state agencies to make available on the Internet, unless otherwise authorized by the Department of Information Technology, a plain-language form through which individuals can register complaints or comments relating to the performance of that agency. The agency is required to provide instructions on filing the complaint electronically, or on the manner in which to complete and mail the complaint form to the state agency, or both, consistent with whichever method the agency establishes for the filing of complaints.

State agencies making a complaint form available on the Internet are required to:

• Advise individuals calling the state agency to lodge a complaint.

• Include on the Internet the location at which this information may be accessed in the telephone directory in order that citizens will be aware that they may contact the state agency via the Internet or by telephone.

In addition, public libraries, to the extent permitted through donations and other means, may do provide Internet access to their patrons and advertise that they provide Internet access.