(a) Programs certified pursuant to Part 586 of this Title may continue to operate pursuant to the requirements of Part 586 of this Title until the expiration of the term of their operating certificate.

(b) Upon the expiration of an operating certificate issued pursuant to Part 586 of this Title, a provider may:

(c) An application for transition to this Part may be made prior to the expiration of the program's existing operating certificate.

(d) No residential program, including a residential care center for adults, shall exceed the certified capacity requirements delineated in section 595.5(b) of this Part, unless it was in operation prior to the effective date of these regulations, and had been issued a valid operating certificate authorizing a greater number of beds.

(e) Programs licensed prior to the effective date of these regulations are exempt from meeting the requirements of section 595.15(a)(2)(i) of this Part.

(f) Programs not yet licensed, but with Office of Mental Health architectural approval as of the effective date of these regulations, may apply to the Office of Mental Health for permission to meet the architectural standards of Part 586 rather than Part 595.