Section 54534 - Conflict Resolution Plan Review, Procedures(a) Not later than 90 calendar days after the area board in the respective area and the State Council receive copies of the completed Conflict of Interest Reporting Statement and the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan for a regional center governing board member or regional center executive director, the area board and the State Council shall each provide to the Department their written approval or disapproval of the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan. If either the area board or the State Council fails to provide the Department with its written approval or disapproval of the proposed Plan within 90 calendar days of receipt of the Conflict of Interest Reporting Statement and the proposed Plan, the Department alone may make the decision to disapprove the proposed Plan. The Department shall not approve a proposed Conflict Resolution Plan without the approval of both the area board and the State Council.(b) The Department shall determine whether a proposed Conflict Resolution Plan is sufficient or needs to be modified to adequately eliminate, or mitigate and manage, the present or potential conflict of interest. The Department may impose additional restrictions and additional obligations to the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan and/or make a determination that further information is required.(c) The Department is responsible for making the final decision as to what conditions, restrictions, obligations, or actions, if any, shall be imposed or taken by the regional center governing board, regional center, and/or the individual(s), to eliminate, or mitigate and manage, the present or potential conflict of interest.(d) The submission of a proposed Conflict Resolution Plan does not authorize an individual with a present or potential conflict of interest to engage in any activity that constitutes a present or potential conflict of interest. The proposed Conflict Resolution Plan shall be approved, in writing, by the Department, and the Conflict Resolution Plan fully implemented prior to the individual engaging in otherwise prohibited conduct. Department approval is not granted until the regional center receives such determination in writing. Individuals shall not engage in activities in which there is a present or potential conflict of interest except in accordance with the terms of an approved Conflict Resolution Plan.(e) Department approval of a proposed Conflict Resolution Plan is not valid unless it is based upon full disclosure of all relevant information by the regional center governing board, regional center, and/or the individual(s) with the present or potential conflict of interest. Nondisclosure or misrepresentation of present or potential conflicts of interest or of material information bearing on the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan decision shall result in the Department's rescission of its approval and/or immediate denial of the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan, in addition to any civil penalties imposed pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 4626.(f) The Department shall issue its modification, approval, or denial of the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan, in writing, to the regional center governing board or the regional center's designated party within 30 calendar days of receiving the written approval or disapproval of the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan from the area board and the State Council for regional center governing board members or executive directors, and within 30 calendar days of receipt of the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan, for employees, contractors, agents and consultants, unless the Department determines there is good cause for extending the time to respond.(g) If the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan of an employee, contractor, agent or consultant is denied by the Department, the individual shall have 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the Department's written denial in which to take the necessary action to eliminate the conflict of interest or resign his or her position as an employee, contractor, agent, or consultant. The Department may, in exercise of its discretion, grant the individual and/or the regional center an extension in which to complete any actions necessary to eliminate the conflict of interest.(h) If the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan of a regional center governing board member or executive director is denied by the Department and/or the State Council or area board in the respective area, the governing board member or executive director shall have 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the Department's written denial in which to take the necessary action to eliminate the conflict of interest or resign his or her position as a regional center governing board member or executive director. The Department may, in exercise of its discretion, grant the regional center governing board, governing board member, executive director or regional center, an extension in which to complete any actions necessary to eliminate the conflict of interest.(i) If the proposed Conflict Resolution Plan is approved by the Department, the approved Conflict Resolution Plan shall be implemented not later than 30 calendar days after written notification is mailed by the Department, unless the Department grants the regional center governing board, the regional center and/or the individual(s) an extension in which to complete any actions necessary to implement the approved Conflict Resolution Plan.(j) The regional center governing board, the regional center, and/or the covered individual(s) shall fully comply with all elements set forth in the approved Conflict Resolution Plan. When required by the terms of the approved Plan, the regional center governing board, the regional center, and the individual(s) shall provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the approved Plan to the Department.(k) A new proposed Conflict Resolution Plan shall be submitted to the Department on an annual basis and upon any change of status that creates a present or potential conflict of interest.(l) The regional center governing board and/or the regional center shall retain a copy of each Conflict of Interest Reporting Statement and any approved Conflict Resolution Plan for the period of time consistent with the record retention requirements in its state contract.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 54534
1. New section filed 1-28-2014; operative 1-28-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 5). For prior history, see Register 2013, No. 32. Note: Authority cited: Sections 4626 and 4627, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 4622, 4626, 4627 and 4628, Welfare and Institutions Code.
1. New section filed 1-28-2014; operative 1-28-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 5). For prior history, see Register 2013, No. 32.