4710.5. (Repealed (in Sec. 40) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 49, Sec. 41.)

(a) Any applicant for or recipient of services, or authorized representative of the applicant or recipient, who is dissatisfied with a decision or action of the regional center or state-operated facility under this division shall, upon filing a request within 60 days after notification of that decision or action, be afforded an opportunity for an informal meeting, a mediation, and a fair hearing.

(b) The request for an informal meeting, mediation, or a fair hearing, or any combination thereof, shall be stated in writing on the appeal request form prescribed by the department.

(c) If any person makes a request for an informal meeting, mediation, or a fair hearing other than on the appeal request form, the employee of the regional center, department, or the state-operated facility who learns of the request shall provide the person with the appeal request form prescribed by the department and shall assist the person in filling out the form if the person requires or requests assistance. Any employee who willfully fails to comply with this requirement shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.