(a) If the director believes that a county is substantially failing to comply with any provision of this code or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, or any regulation pertaining to any program administered by the department, and the director determines that formal action may be necessary to secure compliance, the director shall inform the county welfare director and the board of supervisors of that failure. The notice to the county welfare director and board of supervisors shall be in writing and shall allow the county a specified period of time, not less than 30 days, to correct its failure to comply with the law or regulations. If within the specified period the county does not comply or provide reasonable assurances in writing that it will comply within the additional time as the director may allow, the director may take one or both of the following actions: (1) (A) Bring an action for injunctive relief to secure immediate compliance. (B) A county that is found to be failing to substantially comply with the law or regulations pertaining to any program administered by the department may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction. The court may make orders or judgments as may be necessary to secure county compliance. (2) Order the county to appear at a hearing before the director to show cause why the director should not take administrative action to secure compliance. The county shall be given at least 30 daysâ notice of the hearing. The director shall consider the case on the record established at the hearing and, within 30 days, shall render proposed findings and a proposed decision on the issues. The proposed findings and decisions shall be submitted to the county, and the county shall have the opportunity to appear within 10 days, at a time and place as may be determined by the director, for the purpose of presenting oral arguments respecting the proposed findings and decisions. Thereupon, the director shall make final findings and issue a final administrative decision. (b) If the director determines, based on the record established at the hearing pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), that the county is failing to comply with laws or regulations pertaining to any program administered by the department, or if the Department of Human Resources certifies to the director that a county is not in conformity with established merit system standards under Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 19800) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and that administrative sanctions are necessary to secure compliance, the director may invoke either of the following sanctions, except that the sanctions shall not be invoked concurrently: (1) Except for child welfare services programs, withhold all or part of state and federal funds from the county until the county demonstrates to the director that it has complied. (2) (A) Assume, temporarily, direct responsibility for the administration of all or part of any or all programs administered by the department in the county until the time as the county provides reasonable written assurances to the director of its intention and ability to comply. During the period of direct state administrative responsibility, the director or their authorized representative shall have all of the powers and responsibilities of the county director, except that the authorized representative shall not be subject to the authority of the board of supervisors. (B) (i) In the event that the director invokes sanctions pursuant to this section, the county shall be responsible for providing any funds as may be necessary for the continued operation of all programs administered by the department in the county. If a county fails or refuses to provide these funds, including a sufficient amount to reimburse any and all costs incurred by the department in directly administering any program in the county, the Controller may deduct an amount certified by the dire
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