SECTIONS 4475-4478 - California Statutes

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.