Welf. & Inst. Code, § 5963.05

(a) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific the amendments made pursuant to this act by means of plan or county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, or other similar instructions without taking further regulatory action.

(b) By July 1, 2033, the department shall adopt regulations necessary to implement, interpret, or make specific the amendments made pursuant to this act in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) (1) For purposes of implementing this act, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis, including contracts to implement new or change existing information technology systems.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts entered into or amended, or changes to existing information technology systems made pursuant to this subdivision shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 12100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, the Statewide Information Management Manual, and the State Administrative Manual and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services or the Department of Technology.

(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.