(a) (1) The state board may temporarily suspend, in whole or in part, ELAP certification or TNI accreditation prior to any hearing, when it has determined that this action is necessary to protect the public. The state board shall notify the owner of the temporary suspension and the effective date of the suspension. The notice shall inform the owner of the laboratory that the owner may request a hearing not later than 20 days from the date on which the notice is received, and shall contain a statement of facts and information that show a basis for the suspension.

(2) (A) If the owner submits a timely request for a hearing, the hearing shall be commenced as soon as possible but no later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the notice or 15 calendar days after the request for a hearing is submitted, whichever is later, unless the owner requests a later date for the hearing. The hearing shall deal only with the issue of whether the temporary suspension shall remain in place pending a hearing under Section 100910.

(B) The hearing shall be conducted under the rules for adjudicative proceedings adopted by the state board under Section 185 of the Water Code.

(C) The temporary suspension shall remain in effect until the hearing is completed and the state board has made a final determination on the merits under Section 100910. However, the temporary suspension shall be deemed vacated if the state board fails to make a final determination on the merits within 60 calendar days after the hearing under Section 100910 has been completed. Vacation of the temporary suspension does not deprive the state board of jurisdiction to proceed with a hearing on the merits under Section 100910.

(b) During the suspension, the laboratory shall discontinue the analysis of samples for the fields of testing specified in the notice.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 327, Sec. 24. (AB 1438) Effective January 1, 2018.)