(a) The board may enter into contracts with long-term care insurance carriers, pursuant to Section 21661, and with entities offering services relating to the administration of long-term care plans, without compliance with any provisions of law relating to competitive bidding.

(b) The board may fix the beginning and ending dates of the contracts in a manner it deems consistent with administration of this part. The board shall periodically review each contract according to a reasonable schedule mutually agreed upon by the parties. Irrespective of any agreed-upon termination date or period for review, the board may terminate a contract at any time under conditions determined by the board, and may automatically renew a contract from term to term, or for any lesser period it deems appropriate.

(c) The Department of General Services shall review and approve all contracts entered into pursuant to this section, to ensure that each written instrument contains the principal necessary provisions and proper technical terms and phrases, is formally correct, is arranged in proper and methodical order, and is adapted to the specific requirements of the agreement between the parties. The department’s review and approval does not supersede the board’s authority to negotiate and reach agreement with long-term care insurance carriers or with entities offering services relating to the administration of long-term care plans, with respect to the rates, terms, and conditions of contracts entered into pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 519, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2004.)