2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 28 — Mental health
RS 28:903 — Governing board; membership; appointment; terms; compensation

§903. Governing board; membership; appointment; terms; compensation

A. The district shall be governed by a board of seventeen members. The board shall include two residents of each of the following parishes: Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. Five of the members shall be residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.

B.(1) The members shall be appointed by the governor from among a list of qualified candidates nominated by the governing authority of each parish in accordance with Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. The appointments shall represent at least six professionals and a balance of professionals and advocates in the fields of community-based public health, mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse.

(2) The governing authority of each parish, except Ascension Parish, shall submit a list of at least two candidates for each board position available to a resident of that parish to the governor. In Ascension Parish, the list of at least two candidates shall be submitted by the parish president.

C.(1) Initial appointments to the board with exception of East Feliciana and West Feliciana pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be for terms as follows: one resident from each parish in the district shall be appointed for an initial term of two years; one resident from each parish in the district shall be appointed for an initial term of three years; two additional residents of East Baton Rouge Parish shall be appointed for an initial term of two years; one additional resident of East Baton Rouge Parish shall be appointed for an initial term of three years. Thereafter, each term shall be for three years.

(2) Initial appointments from the parishes of East Feliciana and West Feliciana shall be as follows: one member from each parish shall be appointed for an initial term of one year, and one member from each parish shall be appointed for an initial term of three years. Thereafter, each term shall be for three years.

D. The chairman shall be elected by the board for a term established under the board's bylaws.

E. Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

F. Each board member shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses and mileage at the same rate set by the division of administration for state employees for each day in actual attendance at board meetings or for representing the board in an official board-approved activity.

G. No member of the board or of his immediate family shall own or have any interest or part in any public or private organization, business, company, or entity conducting business of any kind with the district.

H. The board shall adopt bylaws to provide for the governance of the board. Such bylaws shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Procedures for the election of board officers, including terms of office and methods and grounds for removal.

(2) Procedures and grounds for the removal of any board member. Grounds for removal shall include conviction of a felony or may include failure to meet board attendance as provided in the bylaws.

I. Procedures for filling a vacancy created by the removal, resignation, or death of any board member prior to the end of the board member's term shall follow those used for initial appointments.

J. All members of the board and employees of the district shall be subject to the Code of Governmental Ethics.

Acts 2008, No. 373, §1, eff. June 21, 2008.