Connecticut General Statutes Title 17A. Social and Human Services and Resources § 17a-273. Advisory and planning councils for state developmental services regions

(a) The Commissioner of Developmental Services shall appoint at least one advisory and planning council for each state developmental services region operated by the Department of Developmental Services, which council shall have the responsibility of consulting with and advising the director of the region on the needs of persons with intellectual disability in the region, the annual plan and budget of the region and other matters deemed appropriate by the council. The Commissioner of Developmental Services shall, at least annually, provide to any individual who receives annual funding or receives services from the department, or such individual's legal representative, information about the regional advisory and planning council's statutory responsibilities and the process to access information concerning such council's meetings.

(b) Each such council shall consist of at least ten members appointed from the state developmental services region. No employee of any state agency engaged in the care or training of individuals with intellectual disability shall be eligible for appointment. At least one member shall be designated by a local chapter of the Arc of Connecticut in the region. At least one member shall be an individual who is eligible for and receives services from the Department of Developmental Services. At least two members shall be a relative of an individual with intellectual disability. Members shall be appointed for terms of three years. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Each council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The director of the region shall be an ex-officio member of the council without vote and shall attend its meetings.

(c) The council shall meet at least six times a year and at other times upon the call of the chair or the director of the state developmental services region or on the written request of any two members. A majority of the council members in office shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office.