19725. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 797, Sec. 11.)

(a) For the purpose of providing self-employment opportunities for clients with severe disabilities of the Department of Rehabilitation who are determined by the department to be eligible for such a program, the authorized officials of any county, city, city and county, or other political subdivision of the state may enter into appropriate written agreements with the Department of Rehabilitation providing for the installation and operation of business facilities on property owned or occupied by the various political subdivisions. The Business Development Services Section of the Department of Rehabilitation shall supervise the operation of such facilities. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations relating to the establishment and operation of the business facilities.

(b) For the purpose of this section, business facilities shall not include vending stands or food service facilities authorized by the Business Enterprise for the Blind Program established by Article 5 (commencing with Section 19625) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 10 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and nothing in this section shall be construed to affect in any way the Business Enterprises for the Blind Program.