2005 California Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 4200-4203 CHAPTER 2. BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND OTHER ADVISORY BOARDS

4200.  (a) Each state hospital under the jurisdiction of the State
Department of Mental Health shall have a hospital advisory board of
eight members appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations
submitted to him or her by the boards of supervisors of counties
within each hospital's designated service area.  If a state hospital
provides services for both the mentally disordered and the
developmentally disabled, there shall be a separate advisory board
for the program provided the mentally disordered and a separate board
for the program provided the developmentally disabled.  To the
extent feasible, an advisory board serving a hospital for the
mentally disordered shall consist of one member who has been a
patient in a state mental hospital and two members shall be the
parents, spouse, siblings, or adult children of persons who are or
have been patients in a state mental hospital, three representatives
of different professional disciplines  selected from primary user
counties for patients under Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of
Division 5, and two representatives of the general public who have
demonstrated an interest in services to the mentally disordered.
   (b) Of the members first appointed after the operative date of the
amendments made to this section during the 1975-76 legislative
session, one shall be appointed for a term of two years, and one for
three years.  Thereafter, each appointment shall be for the term of
three years, except that an appointment to fill a vacancy shall be
for the unexpired term only.  No person shall be appointed to serve
more than a maximum of two terms as a member of the board.
   (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, members serving
on the hospital advisory board on the operative date of the
amendments made to this section during the 1987-88 legislative
session, may continue to serve on the board until the expiration of
their term.  The Legislature intends that changes in the composition
of the board required by these amendments apply to future vacancies
on the board.
4201.  No person shall be eligible for appointment to a hospital
advisory board if he is a Member of the Legislature or an elective
state officer, and if he becomes such after his appointment his
office shall be vacated and a new appointment made.  If any appointee
fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the board,
unless he is ill or absent from the state, his office becomes vacant,
and the board, by resolution, shall so declare, and shall forthwith
transmit a certified copy of such resolution to the Governor.
4202.  The advisory boards of the several state hospitals are
advisory to the State Department of Mental Health and the Legislature
with power of visitation and advice with respect to the conduct of
the hospitals and coordination with community mental health programs.
  The members of the boards shall serve without compensation other
than necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duty.  They
shall organize and elect a chairman.  They shall meet at least once
every three months and at such other times as they are called by the
chairman, by the medical director, by the head of the department or a
majority of the board.  No expenses shall be allowed except in
connection with meetings so held.
4202.5.  (a) The chairman of a hospital advisory board advising a
hospital for the mentally disordered shall meet annually with the
hospital director, the community mental health directors, and the
chairmen of the mental health advisory boards representing counties
within the hospital's designated service area.
   (b) The chairmen shall be allowed necessary expenses incurred in
attending such meetings.
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department assist
the development of annual regional meetings required by this
section.
4203.  The Atascadero State Hospital shall have an advisory board of
seven persons appointed by the Governor, each of whom holds office
for the term of three years.  To the extent feasible the composition
of board membership shall consist of two persons, who at the time of
their appointment are relatives of the patient population, three
representatives of professional disciplines serving the patient
population, and two representatives of the general public. The board
shall advise and consult with the department with respect to the
conduct of the hospital.  The members of the board shall serve
without compensation other than necessary expenses incurred in
attendance at meetings.