(a)
Except as otherwise provided by statute, before giving a stop payment notice or asserting a claim against a payment bond, a claimant shall give preliminary notice to the following persons:
(1)
The public entity.
(2)
The direct contractor to which the claimant provides work.
(b)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a):
(1)
A laborer is not required to give preliminary notice.
(2)
A claimant that has a direct contractual relationship with a direct
contractor is not required to give preliminary notice.
(c)
Compliance with this section is a necessary prerequisite to the validity of a stop payment notice under this title.
(d)
Compliance with this section or with Section 9562 is a necessary prerequisite to the validity of a claim against a payment bond under this title.