(a) The facility shall submit to the Department a written description of its Special Disability Program which shall meet all of the requirements of Section 73397. The facility shall also specify any alternate requirements needed to implement a specific program. The Department shall review the program and, if it determines that the program and the proposed specific alternate requirements meet the specific needs of the population group to be served, the Department shall issue its written approval of the program and shall designate the specific alternate requirements that shall govern the operation of the program. These specific alternate requirements shall take precedence over the regulations contained in this chapter. The Department may waive any requirement if the implementation of that requirement would be detrimental to the program. Written justification for a waiver request would be required.

(b) A facility shall comply with all requirements of its approved Special Disability Program and also any approved specific alternate requirement which shall govern the operation of the program notwithstanding the provisions of any other regulation contained in this chapter.