In case of conflict between the State Fire Marshal and the local enforcement agency in the interpretation or application of the provisions, regulations, or building standards of the State Fire Marshal by local enforcement agencies as they pertain to community care facilities, upon request of the permittee or licensee of the community care facility, the State Fire Marshal shall notify the local enforcement agency in writing of the State Fire Marshal’s interpretation, and if the local enforcement agency fails to apply the State Fire Marshal’s interpretation, the State Fire Marshal shall conduct an adjudication hearing pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code before a hearing officer of the Office of Administrative Hearings, with the local enforcement agency as respondent, to resolve the conflict. The interpretation or application made by the hearing officer is binding on that local enforcement agency and the State Fire Marshal. The adjudication hearing shall be held within 30 days after the State Fire Marshal notifies the local enforcement agency of the interpretation, and a decision shall be rendered within 15 days of the hearing.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 332, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 1997.)