(a) The department shall ensure that the facility designs provide adequate space to carry out this chapter, including the capability for nonsecure housing, programming, child care, food services, treatment services, educational or vocational services, intensive day treatment, and transitional living skills services.

(b) The agency selected to operate the program shall administer and operate the center and program consistent with the criteria set forth in this chapter and any criteria established by the department. These responsibilities shall include maintenance and compliance with all laws, regulations, and health standards. The department shall contract to reimburse the agency selected to operate this program for women who would otherwise be sentenced to state prison based upon actual costs not provided by other funding sources.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code shall not apply to any facility used for multiperson residential use in the last five years, including, but not limited to, motels, hotels, long-term care facilities, apartment buildings, and rooming houses, or to any project for which facilities intended to house no more than 75 women and children are constructed or leased pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Proposals submitted pursuant to this chapter are exempt from approval and submittal of plans and specifications to the Joint Legislative Committee on Prison Construction Operations and other legislative fiscal committees.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 63, Sec. 2. Effective May 9, 1994.)