(a) Notwithstanding preexisting rights to enforce the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500)), it is the intent of the Legislature that the department ensure that the regional centers operate in compliance with federal and state law and regulation and provide services and supports to consumers in compliance with the principles and specifics of this division.

(b) The department shall take all necessary actions to support regional centers to successfully achieve compliance with this section and provide high quality services and supports to consumers and their families.

(c) The contract between the department and individual regional centers required by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 4620) of Division 4.5 shall include a provision requiring each regional center to render services in accordance with applicable provisions of state laws and regulations. In the event that the department finds a regional center has violated this requirement, or whenever it appears that a regional center has engaged in, or is about to engage in, any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) or any regulation adopted thereunder, the department shall promptly take the appropriate steps necessary to ensure compliance with the law, including actions authorized under Section 4632 or 4635. The department, as the director deems appropriate, may pursue other legal or equitable remedies for enforcement of the obligations of regional centers including, but not limited to, seeking specific performance of the contract between the department and the regional center or otherwise act to enforce compliance with Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) or any regulation adopted thereunder.

(d) As part of its responsibility to monitor regional centers, the department shall collect and review printed materials issued by the regional centers, including, but not limited to, purchase of service policies and other policies, guidelines, or assessment tools utilized by regional centers when determining the service needs of a consumer, instructions and training materials for regional center staff, board meeting agendas and minutes, and general policy and notifications provided to all providers and consumers and families. Within a reasonable period of time, the department shall review new or amended purchase of service policies prior to implementation by the regional center to ensure compliance with statute and regulation. The department shall take appropriate and necessary steps to prevent regional centers from utilizing a policy or guideline that violates any provision of Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) or any regulation adopted thereunder. The department shall confirm that the purchase of service policies and other policies, guidelines, or assessment tools utilized by regional centers when determining the service needs of a consumer are available to the public, as required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 4629.5.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 28, Sec. 5. (SB 81) Effective June 27, 2019.)