(

a) The department shall do all of the following concerning the operation and administration of the veterans’ homes:

(1) Take the necessary steps to ensure that all medical or other facilities under its jurisdiction satisfy all applicable federal and state and local licensing, certification, and other approval requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirements of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of Social Services, and the California State Board of Pharmacy, including preparation of plans of correction as required.

(2) Develop and maintain clinical policies and procedures, including all of the following: (

A) Community standards for best clinical practices, including, but not limited to, practices recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (

B) The appropriate clinical standard of practice. (

C) Adopt fire and life safety policies and procedures consistent with the requirements of the State Fire Marshal and other applicable regulatory and licensing agencies. (

D) Adopt earthquake and environmental protection policies and procedures. (

b) The department may adopt regulations to implement this section. The adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation authorized by this

section is hereby exempted from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code).