Section 4553.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the advocacy, coordinating, appeals, and other related functions of area boards cannot be effectively provided unless area boards have staff support services from personnel directly responsible and accountable to the area board and state council. Area board staff shall be state employees of the state council.

(b) (1) Each area board shall provide to the state council all information and documentation required by the council to prepare and account for the expenditures of an annual budget that includes the basic funding necessary for the area boards to meet the requirements of applicable state and federal law. The state council, in consultation with the area boards, shall determine the timing of, and format for, the provision of this information and documentation. An area board may present for consideration by the state council a proposal for funds to support any additional activities of the area board not anticipated to be funded through their basic allocation. The state council shall review all area board proposals and shall determine the amount of federal funds under Public Law 106-402 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 15001 et seq.) that shall be allotted to each area board. Nothing in this section shall prevent the appropriation of additional funds to the state council or area boards, or both, from the General Fund or other sources. These funds shall be used only for purposes of extending the activities of the state council or area boards, or both, as authorized by state or federal law.

(2) The state council may receive, on behalf of the council or on behalf of any area board, grants of funds in addition to any allocation of state funds or federal funds under Public Law 106-402 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 15001 et seq.), as authorized under this division. These funds shall be used only for purposes of extending the council's or area boards' activities as authorized by state or federal law.

(c) (1) Each area board shall have an executive director, nominated by the affirmative votes of a majority of the members of the area board, appointed by the executive director of the state council, and approved by the state council. The executive director shall select and supervise persons to serve in any staff positions as the area board and state council may authorize, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4551. The affirmative votes of a majority of the members of the area board and approval of the state council shall be necessary for removal of an executive director by the executive director of the state council.

(2) Each area board, with the approval of the state council, may contract for additional assistance to carry out its duties as established by this division.

(3) Notwithstanding the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2), an area board may meet in executive session for purposes of discussing confidential matters, including, but not limited to, personnel matters.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 676, Sec. 22. Effective January 1, 2003.)