19008.5. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 797, Sec. 7.)

(a) The department is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, contributions, and grants from any source, public or private, to establish, implement, and maintain an awards program.

(b) (1) There is hereby established the Public Awards Fund, which is continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, for the purpose of this section.

(2) The director may receive contributions pursuant to this section and deposit them in the Public Awards Fund for use pursuant to subdivision (c).

(3) Sections 11005 and 16302 of the Government Code shall not apply to funds under this section.

(c) In order to achieve the public policy of the State of California, as specified in Section 19000, the director may present awards to those employers, architects, clients, ex-clients, Californians with disabilities nominated or selected for the Hall of Fame, and other persons whose superior cooperation and contributions to the employment of persons with disabilities deserve special recognition.