Innovative Business Partnerships, Inc. v. Inland Counties Regional Center, Inc.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff and appellant Innovative Business Partnerships, Inc. (IBP), appeals from judgment following the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of defendant and respondent Inland Counties Regional Center (IRC) in IBP’s action for breach of contract, contractual and tortious breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and defamation. IBP contends triable issues of fact exist as to all its alleged causes of action. We conclude the trial court erred in granting summary judgment; however, summary adjudication is proper as to the cause of action for defamation.

n. BACKGROUND

The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (hereafter, Lanterman Act) (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 4500 et seq.) and implementing regulations (hereafter, regulations) (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 17, § 50201 et seq.) provide a comprehensive approach to providing services for developmentally disabled persons (sometimes referred to herein as consumers) in this state. Under the Lanterman Act, regional centers have been established to ensure those consumers receive the “services and supports best suited to them throughout their lifetime.” (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 4620.)…