(a) If a consumer or child under 36 months of age who is eligible for the California Early Intervention Program pursuant to Title 14 (commencing with Section 95000) of the Government Code, the department, or a regional center brings an action or claim against a third party or carrier, the consumer, child, regional center, or department, within 30 days of filing the action, shall provide the other persons or entities specified in this subdivision with written notice by personal service or registered mail of the action or claim, and of the name of the court or state or local agency in which the action or claim is brought. Proof of the notice shall be filed in the action or claim. If an action or claim is brought by the department, the regional center, the child, or the consumer, any of the other persons or entities described in this subdivision, at any time before trial on the facts, may become a party to, or shall consolidate their action or claim with, another action or claim if brought independently.

(b) If an action or claim is brought by the department or the regional center pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4659.11, written notice to the child, consumer, guardian, conservator, personal representative, estate, or survivor given pursuant to this section shall advise him or her of his or her right to intervene in the proceeding, his or her right to obtain a private attorney of his or her choice, and the department’s right to recover the reasonable value of the services provided.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 198. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)