Section 4546.

After January 1, 2003, area boards shall be comprised as follows:

(a) For areas consisting of one to four counties, the area board shall consist of a total of 12 voting members appointed by the governing bodies of the counties, each county appointing an equal number of voting members, and five voting members appointed by the Governor.

(b) For areas consisting of five to seven counties, the area board shall consist of two voting members appointed by the governing body of each county, and five voting members appointed by the Governor.

(c) For areas consisting of eight or more counties, the area board shall consist of one voting member appointed by the governing body of each county, and five members appointed by the Governor.

Of the members first appointed, five shall serve for one year, five shall serve for two years, and the remaining members shall serve for three years. Subsequent members shall serve for three years. In counties with a population of more than 100,000, no member shall serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.

(d) The governing bodies of the counties in each area shall select their appointees from among the following groups, and, to the extent feasible, in the following proportions:

(1) Sixty percent from persons with developmental disabilities or the immediate relatives, guardians, or conservators of these persons.

(2) Forty percent from representatives of the general public.

(e) The appointments made by the Governor shall meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4521.

(f) (1) Prior to making their appointments, the Governor and the governing bodies of counties shall request recommendations from professional organizations, from organizations within the area representing persons with developmental disabilities, and from organizations and agencies within the area that deliver services to these individuals.

(2) In making their appointments, the Governor and the governing bodies of counties shall appoint persons who have demonstrated interest and leadership in human service activities.

(g) (1) In order to prevent any potential conflicts of interest, voting members of area boards shall not be employees of a state, local, or private agency or facility that provides service to a person with a developmental disability, or be members of the governing board of any entity providing this service, when the service is funded in whole or in part with state funds.

(2) For purposes of this section "employees of a state, local, or private agency or facility that provides services to a person with a developmental disability" shall not be deemed to include any of the following:

(A) A parent, relative, guardian, or conservator who receives public funds expressly for the purpose of providing direct services to his or her child, relative, ward, or conservatee, respectively, who is a person with a developmental disability.

(B) A person with a developmental disability who receives employment services through a provider receiving state or federal funds.

(C) A person who serves as a member of the state council.

(h) The Governor shall give consideration to the relative populations of the counties within the area in selecting appointees to the area boards.

(i) A member may continue to serve following the expiration of his or her term until the Governor or appointing body of the county appoints that member's successor. The state council shall notify the Governor or the appointing body of the county regarding membership requirements of the area boards and shall notify the Governor or the appointing body of the county at least 60 days before a member's term expires, and when a vacancy on an area board remains unfilled for more than 60 days.

(j) All members of the area board shall be residents of the area.

(k) The members of an area board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as members of the board or of committees established by the board.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 676, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2003.)