(a)
There is in the department a Veterans’ Home of California, Yountville, situated at Veterans’ Home, Napa County.
(b)
(1)The department may establish and construct a second home that shall be situated in the County of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or Ventura. The home may be
located on one or more sites. The department shall operate the second home concurrently with the first home.
(2)
The initial site is the Veterans’ Home of California, Barstow, situated in Barstow, San Bernardino County. That site may provide skilled nursing care for up to 250 residents.
(3)
When completed, the second site shall be the Veterans’ Home of California, Chula Vista, situated in Chula Vista, San Diego County, pursuant to the recommendations made by the commission established pursuant to former Section 1011.5.
(4)
When completed, the third site shall be the Veterans’ Home of California, Lancaster, situated in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, pursuant to the recommendations made by the commission established pursuant to former Section 1011.5.
(5)
When completed, the fourth site shall be the Veterans’ Home of California, Ventura, situated in the community of Saticoy, Ventura County.
(6)
There shall be an administrator for, and located at, each site of the southern California home.
(7)
The department may complete any preapplication process necessary with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for construction of the second home.
(c)
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the second home is a new state function. The department may perform any or all work in operating the second home by independent contractors, except the overall administration and management of the home. Any and all actions of the department taken before September 17, 1996, that are consistent with this subdivision are hereby ratified and confirmed, it having
at all times been the intent of the Legislature that the department be so authorized.
(d)
There shall be an administrator for each home or homesite, who shall be recommended by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and appointed by the Governor, and shall be located at that home or homesite. The salary for each administrator shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Human Resources.