The following procedure shall be used upon receipt by the department of a request for conciliation:

(a) The request from one of the parties to the negotiation, referred to as the requesting party, shall be presented on a form prescribed by the department.

(b) The requesting party shall submit, along with the request, the last offer made to the other party, referred to as the responding party, reasons for rejection of the responding party’s last offer, and an indication as to what the requesting party believes would be required to reach an agreement. A copy of the request, as well as any information required pursuant to this subdivision, shall be express mailed to the responding party on the same day that the request is submitted to the department.

(c) On the next business day after receiving the request for conciliation, the department shall notify the responding party that a request for conciliation has been received. The responding party shall be required to respond to the department within three business days after receipt of notification that conciliation has been requested. The response from the responding party shall include the last offer made to the requesting party, reasons for rejection of the requesting party’s last offer, and an indication as to what the responding party believes would be required to reach an agreement. The responding party’s response shall be made on a form prescribed by the department. A copy of the response, as well as any information required pursuant to this subdivision, shall be express mailed to the requesting party on the same day that the response is submitted to the department.

(d) On the same day that the responding party is notified by the department that a request for conciliation has been made, the department shall notify the conciliation service designated by the department pursuant to Section 54451.5 that conciliation may be ordered.

(e) On the date that the department notifies the responding party that a conciliation has been requested, the department may also request additional information from either party and the department shall notify both parties of their right to use a conciliator agreed upon by the parties if the parties notify the department of their agreement before conciliation is ordered.

(f) Both parties have three business days after the date of the request made pursuant to subdivision (e) in which to respond to the request for additional information.

(g) Within three business days after final receipt from the parties of all information requested by the department, the department shall determine whether conciliation shall be conducted.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 145, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)