After an administrative law judge has held a hearing and issued a proposed decision, within 30 days after the department has received a copy of the administrative law judge’s proposed decision, or within the three business days for an expedited resolution of an appeal of an adverse benefit determination described in Section 10951.5 after any extensions that may apply under subdivision (c) of Section 10951.5, the director may adopt the decision in its entirety; decide the matter himself or herself on the record, including the transcript, with or without taking additional evidence; or order a further hearing to be conducted by himself or herself, or another administrative law judge on behalf of the director. Failure of the director to adopt the proposed decision, decide the matter himself or herself on the record, including the transcript, with or without taking additional evidence or order a further hearing within the 30 days, or within the three business days for an expedited resolution of an appeal of an adverse benefit determination described in Section 10951.5 after any extensions that may apply under subdivision (c) of Section 10951.5, shall be deemed an affirmation of the proposed decision. If the director decides the matter, a copy of his or her decision shall be served on the applicant or recipient and on the affected county, and, if his or her decision differs materially from the proposed decision of the administrative law judge, a copy of that proposed decision shall also be served on the applicant or recipient and on the affected county. If a further hearing is ordered, it shall be conducted in the same manner and within the same time limits specified for the original hearing.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 738, Sec. 6. (AB 205) Effective January 1, 2018.)