(

a) Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this express purpose, the department may contract for medical, evaluation, and other services as necessary to facilitate early access to treatment for individuals in county jails who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial on a felony charge. (

b) County jails shall allow the department and any of its contractors or designees reasonable access to its facilities and individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial on a felony charge to provide early access treatment. (

c) The department may petition for and participate in involuntary medication hearings pursuant to

Section of the Penal Code for individuals housed in county jails who are being treated by department employees or contractors. Nothing in this

section shall remove the ability or responsibility of a jail to utilize existing authority to seek an involuntary medication order for individuals or to provide other medical or mental health care. (

d) Contracts awarded pursuant to this

chapter are exempt from the requirements contained in

Section of the Government Code, the Public Contract Code,

Section 4101.5 of this code, and the State Administrative Manual. These contracts are not subject to approval by the Department of General Services. (

e) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this

section by means of a departmental letter or other similar instruction, as necessary.