(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.