(a)  The regulations shall prescribe the kinds of services which may be provided by clinics in each category of licensure and shall prescribe minimum standards of adequacy, safety, and sanitation of the physical plant and equipment, minimum standards for staffing with duly qualified personnel, and minimum standards for providing the services offered. These minimum standards shall be based on the type of facility, the needs of the patients served, and the types and levels of services provided.

(b)  The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, in consultation with the Community Clinics Advisory Committee, shall prescribe minimum construction standards of adequacy and safety for the physical plant of clinics as found in the California Building Standards Code.

(c)  A city or county, as applicable, shall have plan review and building inspection responsibilities for the construction or alteration of buildings described in paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1204 and shall apply the provisions of the latest edition of the California Building Standards Code in conducting these plan review responsibilities. For these buildings, construction and alteration shall include conversion of a building to a purpose specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1204.

Upon the initial submittal to a city or county by the governing authority or owner of these clinics for plan review and building inspection services, the city or county shall reply in writing to the clinic whether or not the plan review by the city or county will include a certification as to whether or not the clinic project submitted for plan review meets the standards as propounded by the office in the California Building Standards Code.

If the city or county indicates that its review will include this certification it shall do all of the following:

(1)  Apply the applicable clinic provisions of the latest edition of the California Building Standards Code.

(2)  Certify in writing, to the applicant within 30 days of completion of construction whether or not these standards have been met.

(d)  If upon initial submittal, the city or county indicates that its plan review will not include this certification, the governing authority or owner of the clinic shall submit the plans to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development who shall review the plans for certification whether or not the clinic project meets the standards, as propounded by the office in California Building Standards Code.

(e)  When the office performs review for certification, the office shall charge a fee in an amount that does not exceed its actual costs.

(f)  The office of the State Fire Marshal shall prescribe minimum safety standards for fire and life safety in surgical clinics.

(g)  Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the governing authority or owner of a clinic may request the office to perform plan review services for buildings described in subdivision (c). If the office agrees to perform these services, after consultation with the local building official, the office shall charge an amount not to exceed its actual costs. The construction or alteration of these buildings shall conform to the applicable provisions of the latest edition of the California Building Standards Code for purposes of the plan review by the office pursuant to this subdivision.

(h)  Regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter establishing standards for laboratory services shall not be applicable to any clinic that operates a clinical laboratory licensed pursuant to Section 1265 of the Business and Professions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 732, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.)