(

a) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department, without taking regulatory action, shall implement, interpret, or make specific this article,

Article 2.97 (commencing with

Section 14093),

Article 2.98 (commencing with

Section 14094), and any applicable federal waivers and state plan amendments by means of all-county letters, plan letters, CCS numbered letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. By January 1, 2023, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code. Commencing July 1, 2018, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis, in compliance with

Section of the Government Code, until regulations have been adopted. (

b) The director may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid, nonbid, or negotiated basis and may amend existing managed care contracts to provide or arrange for services provided under this article. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this

section shall be exempt from the provisions of

Chapter 2 (commencing with

Section 10290) of Part of Division of the Public Contract Code and

Chapter 6 (commencing with

Section 14825) of

Part 5.5 of Division of Title of the Government Code, and shall be exempt from the review and approval of any division of the Department of General Services.