(a) The department shall provide assistance to any applicant or beneficiary that requests help with the application or redetermination process to the extent required by federal law.
(b) The assistance provided under subdivision (a) shall be available to the individual in person, over the telephone, and online, and in a manner that is accessible to individuals with disabilities and those who have limited English proficiency.
(c) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015. The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the department, of regulations implementing this section shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from review by the Office of Administrative Law.
(d) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
(Added by Stats. 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 3. (SB 1 1x) Effective September 30, 2013. Section operative January 1, 2014, by its own provisions.)