ARTICLE 6. State Council Regional Offices and Advisory Committees [4544 - 4548]
( Heading of Article 6 amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 409, Sec. 14. )
(a) (1) The state council may establish regional offices that are accessible to and responsive to the diverse geographic, ethnic, and language needs of consumers and families throughout the state. As of January 1, 2015, regional offices of the state council in existence as of December 31, 2014, shall continue to exist, within the same geographic regions of the state.
(2) Effective January 1, 2015, the state council shall have full authority to establish, maintain, and operate regional offices, including the number and location of those offices.
(b) To ensure involvement of persons with developmental
disabilities, their families, and other members of the public at the regional level and to ensure the responsiveness of the state council to the geographic, ethnic, and language diversity of the state, any regional office established by the state council may be advised by a regional advisory committee. As of January 1, 2015, advisory boards of the regional offices, known as area boards on developmental disabilities, in existence on December 31, 2014, shall thereafter be known as state council regional advisory committees.
(c) All references to “regional office” in this chapter shall be a reference to state council regional offices. All references to “regional advisory committees” in this chapter shall be a reference to state council regional advisory committees.
(d) Any state council regional offices and advisory committees established by the state council shall be constituted and
shall operate according to policies and procedures that may be established by the council.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 409, Sec. 16. (AB 1595) Effective January 1, 2015.)
The state council may periodically review the number and geographic boundaries of regional offices needed to effectively implement this division, by methods including, but not limited to, conducting public hearings in affected regions and seeking input from regional advisory committees, persons with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers, advocates, and other interested parties. Public notice shall be provided at least 120 days before any changes in the number of or boundaries of regional offices.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 409, Sec. 18. (AB 1595) Effective January 1, 2015.)
The membership of any regional advisory committees established or continued by the state council prior to January 1, 2015, shall, upon expiration of the terms of individuals who are members of those committees on January 1, 2015, be determined through policies and procedures established by the council.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 409, Sec. 20. (AB 1595) Effective January 1, 2015.)
Any regional advisory committee established shall, at the request of the state council, do all of the following:
(a) Advise the state council and its regional office on local issues and identify and provide input regarding local systemic needs within its community.
(b) Provide input and be a source of data for the state council to consider in the formulation of the state plan.
(c) Provide public information programs for consumers, families, professional groups, and for the general public to increase professional and public awareness of areas identified in the state plan.
(d) Engage in other activities as requested by the state council.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 409, Sec. 23. (AB 1595) Effective January 1, 2015.)