(a)  The department may adopt emergency regulations to implement this article in accordance with 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 initial adoption of emergency regulations and one readoption of the initial regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare. Initial emergency regulations and the first readoption of those regulations shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The initial emergency regulations and the first readoption of those regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State and publication in the California Code of Regulations and each shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days.

(b)  All regulations adopted pursuant to this section prior to the repeal and addition of this section by the act adding this section shall remain in full force and effect unless they are repealed or amended by the department in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 171, Sec. 41. Effective August 10, 2001.)