(a)
A person is not entitled to a hearing pursuant to this chapter unless he or she files his or her request for the same within 90 days after the order or action complained of.
(b)
(1)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a person shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to this chapter if he or she files the request more than 90 days after the order or action complained of and there is good cause for filing the request beyond the 90-day period. The director may determine whether good cause exists.
(2)
For purposes of this subdivision “good cause” means a substantial and
compelling reason beyond the party’s control, considering the length of the delay, the diligence of the party making the request, and the potential prejudice to the other party. The inability of a person to understand an adequate and language-compliant notice, in and of itself, shall not constitute good cause. The department shall not grant a request for a hearing for good cause if the request is filed more than 180 days after the order or action complained of.
(3)
This section shall not preclude the application of the principles of equity jurisdiction as otherwise provided by law.
(c)
Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department shall implement this
section through an all-county information notice no later than January 1, 2008. The department may also provide further instructions through training notes.