(a) When establishing or revising a notification level or response level, the state board shall do all of the following:

(1) Electronically post on its internet website and distribute through email a notice informing interested persons that the state board has initiated the development or revision of a notification level or response level.

(2) Electronically post on its internet website and distribute through email a notice that a proposed notification level or response level is available. The notice shall include an electronic link to an internet webpage where the proposed level can be viewed electronically along with the complete study or studies or an electronic link to the complete study or studies, and the notification level recommendations document provided to the state board by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, if applicable, that were used to establish the level. The state board shall not make available or provide an electronic link to a study that is not subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code). The notice shall indicate whether the study or studies were peer reviewed and whether only one study was used. Notice and document availability shall occur at least 30 days before the meeting required pursuant to paragraph (3).

(3) Before a proposed notification level or response level is finalized, include, as an informational item, the proposed notification level or response level at a regularly noticed meeting of the state board.

(b) If the Division of Drinking Water of the state board finds that a contaminant presents the potential for imminent harm to public health and safety, paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), and the requirement to publish the proposed level and the 30-day deadline for the notice and document availability requirement in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), shall not apply to the establishment or revision of the notification level or response level for the contaminant. At the time the notification level or response level is established or revised, the division shall post the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) and any other information supporting its finding that the contaminant presents the potential for imminent harm to public health and safety. Within 45 days of establishing or revising the notification level or response level, the state board shall include, as an informational item, the notification level or response level at a regularly noticed meeting of the state board.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 280. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)