Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement new fees or fee changes and a hardship fee waiver process by means of provider bulletins or similar instructions from the director without taking regulatory action. The department shall notify and consult with interested parties and appropriate stakeholders regarding new fees or fee changes and the hardship fee waiver process established pursuant to this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 191, Sec. 5. (SB 137) Effective September 13, 2023.)