§ 51.5-47. Local boards; appointment; membership and staff
A. Every county and city shall establish, either singly or in combination with another political subdivision, a local disability services board by November 1, 1992, to provide input to state agencies on service needs and priorities of persons with physical and sensory disabilities, to provide information and resource referral to local governments regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to provide such other assistance and advice to local governments as may be requested. Guidelines for the establishment of local disability services boards shall be developed by the Disability Services Council. As used in this chapter, the term "board" means a local disability services board. The board shall be responsible to the governing body or bodies of the county or city or combination thereof which established the board.
B. The local governing bodies of the jurisdictions participating in the board shall determine the number of members on the board and appoint the members. The membership of a board shall not exceed fifteen. Membership shall include at least one local official from each of the participating jurisdictions, two representatives of the business community, and consumers. Each board shall have no less than thirty percent representation by individuals or family members of individuals with physical, visual, or hearing disabilities.
C. Where a local board or commission for the physically and sensory disabled appointed by a local governing body is already in existence, the local governing body may designate such board or commission as the local disability services board. In order to be designated as the local disability services board, the existing board or commission shall meet the membership representation requirements designated in subsection B.
D. The Department of Rehabilitative Services shall administer the funds appropriated for local disability services boards, including staff support to the boards and, with appropriate consultation from the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired and the Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and other agencies, provide guidance and technical assistance to the local boards. Localities may provide additional staff support to the boards.
E. Localities shall not be mandated to fund any recommendations made by the local board.
(1992, c. 634; 2000, c. 115.)
Sections: 51.5-47 51.5-48 51.5-49 51.5-50 51.5-51 51.5-52 NextLast modified: April 3, 2009