If the director considers a county director to be failing, in a substantial manner, to comply with any provision of this code or any regulation pertaining to the administration of health care services and medical assistance, he shall put the county director on written notice to that effect, and shall give a copy of the notice to the board of supervisors.

If within 60 days the county director fails to give reasonable assurance that he is complying and will continue to comply with the laws and regulations, the director shall order the county to appear at a hearing, before him to show cause why he should not take action to secure compliance. The county shall be given at least 30 days notice of such hearing. The director shall consider the case on the record established at the hearing and, within 30 days, shall render proposed findings and a proposed decision on the issues. The proposed findings and decisions shall be submitted to the county, and the county shall have an opportunity to appear within 10 days at such time and place as may be fixed by the director for the purpose of presenting oral arguments respecting the proposed findings and decision. Thereupon, the director shall make his final findings and decision.

If the director determines that there is a failure on the part of the county to comply with the provisions of this code or the established regulations, or if the State Personnel Board certifies to the director that a county is not in conformity with established merit system standards under Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 19800) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and that administrative sanctions are necessary to secure compliance, the director may invoke any of the following sanctions:

(a) Withhold part or all of state and federal funds from such county until the county shall make a showing to the director of compliance; or

(b) Assume, temporarily, direct responsibility for the administration of any or all state-aided health care services and medical assistance programs in such county until the county shall provide reasonable assurance to the director of its intention and ability to comply with such laws and regulations. During such period of state administrative responsibility for county programs, the director or his authorized representative shall have all of the powers and responsibilities of the county director, with the exception that he shall not be subject to the authority of the board of supervisors; or

(c) Bring an action in mandamus or such other action in court as may be appropriate to compel compliance. Any such action shall be entitled to a preference in setting a date for a hearing.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving the board of supervisors of the responsibility to provide funds necessary for the continued services required by law.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as preventing a county from seeking judicial review of action taken by the director pursuant to this section under Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure or, except in cases arising under Sections 10962 and 10963, from seeking injunctive relief when deemed appropriate.

(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1252.)