Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1569.44
(a) A facility shall be deemed to be an “unlicensed residential care facility for the elderly” and “maintained and operated to provide residential care” if it is unlicensed and not exempt from licensure, and any one of the following conditions is satisfied:
(c) Upon discovery of an unlicensed residential care facility for the elderly, the department shall refer residents to the appropriate placement or adult protective services agency or the appropriate local or state long-term care ombudsman, if either of the following conditions exist: