(a) Sections 4690.2, 4691, and 4691.5, which relate to in-home respite service agencies and community-based day programs, shall apply in the 1998–99 fiscal year with the following exceptions:
(1) The 1997–98 fiscal year allowable costs and consumer attendance data submitted to the department by September 30, 1998, shall not be utilized by the department to determine a new mean rate and allowable range of rates, pursuant to regulations, but may be used only in developing a new rate system.
(2) The allowable range of rates and mean rate established for the 1997–98 fiscal year shall be continued.
(3) The rate for new programs shall be the mean rate determined for the same type of program and staff-to-consumer ratio for the 1997–98 fiscal year.
(b) The department shall, in consultation with stakeholder organizations, develop performance based consumer outcome rate systems for community-based day programs and in-home respite services. If rates for community-based day programs are increased in the 1998–99 fiscal year pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (e) of Section 4691.5, and rates for in-home respite services are increased in the 1998–99 fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 4690.2, as added by the act adding this section to the Welfare and Institutions Code, then effective September 1, 1998, and until such time as the new rate systems are implemented, or unless funds are otherwise appropriated for rate adjustments, rates shall be frozen.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 310, Sec. 43. Effective August 19, 1998.)