(a) The Director of Corrections may establish and operate facilities to be known as community correctional centers. The director may enter into a long-term agreement, not to exceed 20 years, for transfer of prisoners to, or placement of prisoners in, community correctional centers.

(b) No later than 30 days after the department has designated a site as a potential site, the director shall notify the county board of supervisors or city council in whose jurisdiction the center may be located. The notification shall set forth the specifics of the site location, design, and operational characteristics for the facility. The department shall not contract for the facility until it has received and reviewed the comments of every local agency notified under this section or the expiration of 60 days after having given notice to the local agency, whichever occurs first.

Upon receipt of the notice, the city, county, or city and county may hold a public hearing concerning the impact of the facility on the community. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the city, county, or city and county may make a recommendation to the department as to the appropriateness of the proposed site, specific design and operational features to help make the facility more compatible with the community, and alternative locations, if appropriate.

Upon receipt of comments and recommendations, the department shall determine whether to proceed with the facility, to modify the proposal, or to select an alternative site. If the department selects a site recommended by the local agency after a hearing conducted pursuant to this section, no further review or hearings are required by this subdivision.

(c) The notice referred to in subdivision (b) may be delivered by hand or sent by any form of mail requiring a return receipt. Failure to provide the notice shall be grounds for extinguishing the contract upon motion of the board of supervisors or city council.

(d) The Director of Corrections shall not change the use of or significantly increase the capacity of a community correctional center established pursuant to subdivision (a) unless the director has first notified the county board of supervisors or city council in whose jurisdiction the center is located at least 30 days prior to the change of use or capacity. Failure to provide the notice shall be grounds for enjoining the change in use or capacity.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 643, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)