(a) By July 1, 1996, the director shall adopt regulations, on an emergency basis, that specify the application procedures and requirements for the restructuring or conversion of nonprofit health care service plans. This subdivision shall not be construed to limit or otherwise restrict the director’s authority to adopt regulations under Section 1344, including, but not limited to, any additional regulations to implement this article.
(b) Upon receiving an application to restructure or convert, the director shall publish a notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the plan’s service area describing the name of the applicant, the nature of the application, and the date of receipt of the application. The notice shall indicate that the director will be soliciting public comments and will hold a public hearing on the application. The director shall require the plan to publish a written notice concerning the application pursuant to conditions imposed by rule or order.
(c) Any applications, reports, plans, or other documents under this article shall be public records, subject to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) and regulations adopted by the director thereunder. The director shall provide the public with prompt and reasonable access to public records relating to the restructuring and conversion of health care service plans. Access to public records covered by this section shall be made available no later than one month prior to any solicitation for public comments or public hearing scheduled pursuant to this article.
(d) Prior to approving any conversion or restructuring, the director shall solicit public comments in written form and shall hold at least one public hearing concerning the plan’s proposal to comply with the set- aside and other conditions required under this article.
(e) The director may disapprove any application to restructure or convert if the application does not meet the requirements of this chapter or of the Nonprofit Corporation Law (Div. 2 (commencing with Sec. 5000), Title 1, Corp. C.), including any requirements imposed by rule or order of the director.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 162. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)