The law requires each department in the California Health and Welfare Agency to identify specific programs that give out direct service contracts. These programs must either award contracts totaling over $250,000 or issue more than five direct service contracts per year. However, contracts with other government agencies, regional centers, or area agencies on aging are excluded from this requirement.

This law requires every department to create an annual timeline for each program. The timeline should include important dates like proposal requests, bid deadlines, contract announcements, and evaluations. If funding is uncertain or delayed, the timeline must note this and provide a range of possible dates when funding decisions will be finalized. The calendar must be accessible to the public and updated yearly.

This section requires each department to create and keep a main list used for sending out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for each program noted in another section. The list must include an explanation of how new names can be added and any affirmative action policies relevant to how contracts are managed.

This law section mandates that every request for proposal (RFP) must include detailed information such as the program’s goals and objectives, the minimum range of services needed, and both qualitative and quantitative measures for evaluating the service outcomes. It also requires clear criteria and a description of the process and timeline for reviewing and approving bids, as well as the minimum performance standards agencies need to meet to get a service contract.

This law requires that for each specific government program, departments must detail several things: how long each step will take, the names and contact details of staff responsible for each step, any legal requirements and sign-off needed before finalizing a contract, and conditions for any advance or interim payments. All this information must be provided in writing to all bidders.

This law requires each department to provide agencies with direct service contracts all the necessary forms and information needed for payment and reporting. They must also outline how they will evaluate the contracts, handle payment recovery, and the conditions under which they might withhold payments or terminate contracts due to poor performance. All this information should be shared before the contract is finally approved.

Every department within the Health and Welfare Agency must create a process to handle complaints or disagreements related to the granting or management of contracts for direct services.

This law requires all departments under the Health and Welfare Agency to create a plan, called an implementation schedule, for developing necessary information as outlined in this chapter. They must send these schedules to specific legislative and research offices within 90 days after the law takes effect. The schedule should detail actions for one year from when the law is implemented.