4475-4478
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
SECTION 4475-4478
4475. (a) Each developmental center under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Developmental Services shall have a developmental center advisory board of eight members appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations submitted to him or her by the boards of supervisors of counties within each developmental center's designated service area. If a state hospital and developmental center provides services for both persons with mental disorders and persons with developmental disabilities, there shall be a separate advisory board for the program provided the persons with mental disorders and a separate board for the program provided the persons with developmental disabilities. To the extent feasible, an advisory board serving a developmental center for persons with developmental disabilities shall consist of two relatives of persons with developmental disabilities who are residents in that developmental center, three representatives of professional disciplines who are not employees of the state developmental center system, but who are serving persons with developmental disabilities, two representatives of the general public who have demonstrated an interest in services to persons with developmental disabilities, and one current or former resident of a state developmental center. (b) Each appointment to the advisory board shall be for the term of three years, except that an appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term only. No person shall be appointed to serve more than a maximum of two terms as a member of the board. 4476. No person shall be eligible for appointment to a developmental center advisory board if he or she is a Member of the Legislature or an elective state officer, and if that person becomes a Member of the Legislature or an elective state officer after his or her appointment his or her office shall be vacated and a new appointment made. If any appointee fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the board, unless he or she is ill or absent from the state, his or her office becomes vacant, and the board, by resolution, shall so declare, and shall transmit a certified copy of that resolution to the Governor immediately. 4477. The advisory boards of the several state developmental centers are advisory to the State Department of Developmental Services and the Legislature with power of visitation and advice with respect to the conduct of the developmental centers and coordination with community mental health programs or regional programs for persons with developmental disabilities. The members of the boards shall serve without compensation other than necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duty. They shall organize and elect a chairperson. They shall meet at least once every three months and at any other times they are called by the chairperson, by the medical director, by the head of the department, or by a majority of the board. No expenses shall be allowed except in connection with meetings so held. The advisory board or boards of each developmental center or state hospital and developmental center may make a written report on its activities. 4478. (a) The chairperson of an advisory board advising a developmental center shall meet annually with the developmental center director, the regional center directors, and the area board chairpersons representing areas within the developmental center's service area, as defined in Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500). (b) The chairpersons shall be allowed necessary expenses incurred in attending these meetings. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department assist the development of annual regional meetings required by this section.