2023 California Code › Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC › DIVISION 5 - COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES › PART 7 - Behavioral Health Services and Supports › CHAPTER 1 - Behavioral health continuum infrastructure program › Section 5960.3.

5960.3. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a facility project funded by a grant pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed consistent and in conformity with any applicable local plan, standard, or requirement, and allowed as a permitted use, within the zone in which the structure is located, and shall not be subject to a conditional use permit, discretionary permit, or to any other discretionary reviews or approvals.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) shall not apply to a project, including a phased project, funded by a grant pursuant to this chapter if, where applicable, all of the following applicable requirements are satisfied:
(1) The project is not acquired by eminent domain.
(2) The project applicant demonstrates that the project is, and will continue to be, licensed by and in good standing with the department or other state licensing entity at the time of, and for the duration of, occupancy. The project shall be in decent, safe, and sanitary condition at the time of occupancy.
(3) The project applicant requires all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the facility project to pay prevailing wages for any proposed rehabilitation, construction, or major alterations in accordance with Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1720) of Part 7 of Division 2 of the Labor Code.
(4) The project applicant obtains an enforceable commitment that all contractors and subcontractors performing work on the project will use a skilled and trained workforce for any proposed rehabilitation, construction, or major alterations in accordance with Chapter 2.9 (commencing with Section 2600) of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.
(5) The project applicant submits to the lead agency a letter of support, or other durable documentary proof for the project, from a county, city, or other local public entity for any new proposed construction, major alteration work, or rehabilitation.
(6) The project applicant demonstrates that not less than ninety-five percent of the total cost of any new construction, facility acquisition, or rehabilitation project is paid for with public funds, private non-profit funds, or philanthropic funds.
(7) The project applicant demonstrates that the project expands the availability of behavioral health treatment services in the subject jurisdiction.
(8) The project applicant demonstrates that there are long-term covenants and restrictions that require the project to be used to provide behavioral health treatment for no less than 30 years, and those covenants and restrictions may not be amended or extinguished by a subsequent title holder, owner, or operator.
(9) The project does not result in any increase in the existing onsite development footprint of structures or improvements.
(c) If a project applicant determines that a project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to this section, and the lead agency for the project publicly concurs in that determination, the project applicant shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk of the county in which the project is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152 of the Public Resources Code.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 355. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 5960.45.)