(a) The department shall administer the provisions of this chapter and may do all of the following:
(1) Administer the expenditure of moneys from the fund.
(2) (A) Issue rules and regulations as necessary.
(B) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall implement, interpret, or make specific this chapter and any applicable federal waivers and state plan amendments by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning six months after the effective date of this section, and notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code on a semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.
(3) Enter into contracts.
(4) Exercise all powers reasonably necessary to carry out the powers and responsibilities expressly granted or imposed by this chapter.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 31, Sec. 89. (SB 857) Effective June 20, 2014. Section operative July 1, 2014, pursuant to Section 15864.)