Effective 28 Aug 2011

37.735. Council assigned to office of administration, members, chairperson — executive director, funding — appointment of members, terms, qualifications — meetings. — 1. The "Governor's Council on Disability" is hereby assigned to the office of administration.

2. The council shall consist of a chairperson, twenty members, and an executive director.

3. The chairperson shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The members of the council shall be appointed by the governor. Recruitment and appointment of members to the council shall provide for representation of various ethnic, age, gender, and physical and mental disability groups.

4. The funds necessary for the executive director and such other personnel as necessary shall be appropriated through the office of administration. The executive director shall serve under the supervision of the committee chairman. The executive director shall be exempted from the state merit system.

5. All members shall be appointed for four-year terms. Vacancies occurring in the membership of the council for any reason shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired term. Upon expiration of their terms, members of the council shall continue to hold office until the appointment and qualification of their successors. No person shall be appointed for more than two consecutive terms, except that a person appointed to fill a vacancy may serve for two additional successive terms. The governor may remove a member for cause.

6. Members of the council shall be chosen to meet the following criteria:

(1) The majority of the council shall be comprised of people with disabilities, representing the various disability groups. The remaining positions shall be filled by family members of people with disabilities, persons who represent other disability-related groups, and other advocates. A person considered to have a disability shall meet the federal definition of disability as defined by P.L. 101-336;

(2) The council shall include at least one member from each congressional district;

(3) Members of the council shall be knowledgeable about disability-related issues and have demonstrated a commitment to full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

7. The chairperson of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of the duties as chairperson of the council on disability. The members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending all meetings provided for by sections 37.735 to 37.745.

8. The council shall meet at least once each calendar quarter to conduct its business. The executive director shall give notice to each member of the time and place of each meeting of the council at least ten days before the scheduled date of the meeting, and notice of any special meeting shall state the specific matters to be considered in the special meeting which is not a regular quarterly meeting.

9. The chairperson, with the advice and consent of the council, shall appoint an executive director who shall serve as a nonvoting member and executive officer of the council. The executive director shall serve under the supervision of the chairperson of the council. The executive director shall be a person who is knowledgeable about disability-related issues and has demonstrated a commitment to full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

10. The director of each state department shall designate at least one employee who shall act as a liaison with the council.

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(L. 2011 H.B. 464)