(Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 80, Sec. 17.)

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the department may operate any facility, provide its employees to assist in the operation of any facility, or provide other necessary services and supports if, in the discretion of the department, it determines that the activity will assist in meeting the goal of successfully transitioning developmental center residents to community living or deflecting the admission of individuals with developmental disabilities to a developmental center, an institution for mental disease, an out-of-state placement, a general acute care hospital, or an acute psychiatric hospital. The department may contract with any entity for the use of the department’s employees to provide services and supports in furtherance of this goal.

(b) The department shall prepare a report on the use of the department’s employees in providing services in the community pursuant to this section. The report shall include data on the number and classification of state employees working in the community program. The report shall include recommendations on whether the program should be continued or ways in which the program may be improved. Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the report shall be submitted with the Governor’s proposed budget for the 2015–16 fiscal year to the fiscal committees of both houses of the Legislature and annually thereafter.