(a) The department may adopt regulations to implement the program as emergency regulations. The emergency regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall be adopted by the department in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and for the purposes of that chapter, including § 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of these regulations is hereby deemed an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare.

(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, any emergency regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section shall be filed with, but not be repealed by, the Office of Administrative Law and shall remain in effect for a period of two years or until revised by the department, whichever occurs sooner.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 616, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)