(a) (1) The court may refer persons only to licensed programs. Subject to these provisions, a person is eligible to participate in the program if the program is operating in any of the following:

(A) The county where the person is convicted.

(B) The county where the person resides.

(C) A county that has an agreement with the person’s county of residence pursuant to Section 11838.

(D) A county to which a person may request transfer pursuant to subdivision (d).

(2) If a person granted probation under Section 23542 or 23562 of the Vehicle Code cannot be referred to a licensed 18-month program pursuant to this section, Section 13352.5 of the Vehicle Code does not apply.

(b) If a person has consented to participate in a licensed program and the county where the person is convicted is the same county in which the person resides, the court may order the person to participate in a licensed program within that county, or, if that county does not have a licensed program, the court may order that person to participate in a licensed program within another county, pursuant to Section 11838.

(c) If a person has consented to participate in a licensed program in the county in which that person resides or in a county in which the person’s county of residence has an agreement pursuant to Section 11838, and the county where the person is convicted is not the county where the person resides, and if the court grants the person summary probation, the court may order the person to participate in a licensed program in that county. In lieu of summary probation, the court may utilize the probation officer to implement the orders of the court. If the county in which the person resides does not have a licensed program or an agreement with another county pursuant to Section 11838 and the person consents, the court may order the person to participate in a licensed program within the county where that person is convicted or in a county with which the county has an agreement pursuant to Section 11838.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (e), subsequent to a person’s commencement of participation in a program, the person may request transfer to another licensed program (1) in the same county in which the person has commenced participation in the program, upon approval of that county’s alcohol and drug program administrator, or (2) in a county other than the county in which the person has commenced participation in the program, upon approval of the alcohol and drug program administrator of the county in which the person is participating and the county to which the person is requesting transfer.

(e) Subdivision (d) does not apply (1) if the court has ordered the person to participate in a specific licensed program, unless the court orders the transfer or, (2) if the person is under formal probation, unless the probation officer consents to the transfer. The department shall establish reporting forms and procedures to ensure that the court receives notice of any program transfer pursuant to this subdivision or subdivision (d).

(f) Jurisdiction of all postconviction matters arising pursuant to this section may be retained by the court of conviction.

(g) The department, in cooperation with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the county alcohol and drug program administrators, shall establish procedures to ensure the effective implementation of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 862, Sec. 106. Effective January 1, 2005.)