(a) The State Department of Social Services shall prescribe drowning prevention safety standards governing all swimming pools and other bodies of water located at facilities regulated by the department, regardless of whether the swimming pool is also subject to this article. The department may adopt higher drowning prevention safety standards than the requirements of this article. The department shall adopt regulations required by this section by January 1, 2027.
(b) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of 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 State Department of Social Services may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of interim licensing standards or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted. These interim licensing standards or similar written instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations until January 1, 2027.