(a)  If the department determines that standards for commercial coaches and special purpose commercial coaches prescribed by the statutes or regulations of another state are at least equal to the standards prescribed by the department, the department may so provide by regulation. Thereafter, any commercial coaches or special purpose commercial coaches which that other state has approved as meeting its standards shall be deemed to meet the standards of the department, if the department determines that the standards of the other state are actually being enforced.

(b)  In lieu of the procedure set forth in subdivision (a), the department may contract with approved third-party entities for enforcement of the applicable provisions of this part for commercial coaches or special purpose commercial coaches manufactured outside this state for sale within this state. Third-party entities may apply to the department for enforcement authority pursuant to this subdivision by providing evidence to the satisfaction of the department that they satisfy all of the following criteria:

(1)  They are independent and free from conflict of interest, have the ability to enforce this part, and shall enforce this part without an actual conflict of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest.

(2)  They are adequately staffed with qualified personnel who can, and shall, implement all provisions of the contract, including monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.

(3)  They have the authority, through contract or otherwise, and the ability to obtain correction of defects detected or reported as a result of their enforcement activities.

(4)  They meet any other conditions of operation that the department may reasonably incorporate into the contract.

(c)  If the department enters into a contract authorized by subdivision (b), the department may require cancellation clauses, fees, personnel résumés, reports, or other reasonable information or documents deemed necessary to ensure that subdivision (b) and this part are adequately enforced.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 293, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1999.)