2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 28 - Mental Health
RS 28:913 - Governing board; membership; appointment; terms; compensation

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

A.(1) For districts created pursuant to R.S. 28:912(B)(2), each district shall be governed by a board whose membership consists of residents of the respective regions. The number of members on the board shall consist of one representative from each parish in the region who is appointed by the local governmental authority. The membership shall also include three appointees by the governor.

(2) The parish appointees shall be persons with professional experience or parents, consumers, or advocates in the fields of addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, mental health, or public health.

(3) The governor's three appointees shall be one member with experience in the financial operation of a business enterprise, one member who is a parent, consumer, or caregiver of a consumer of services, and one member who represents one of the following fields: addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, mental health, or public health. The governing authority of each parish may submit three names to the governor for consideration as one of the governor's three appointees.

B. The initial terms of office for board members from the first two parishes alphabetically shall be one year. The initial terms for board members from the second two parishes alphabetically shall be two years. The initial terms for all other board members shall be three years. All subsequent appointees shall serve terms of three years. No board member shall serve more than two three-year terms.

C. 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.

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

E. The board shall adopt bylaws to provide for the governance of the board within ninety days of being established. 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. Board officers shall include, at a minimum, a chairman, treasurer, and secretary.

(2) Procedures and grounds for the removal of any board member. Grounds for removal shall include the conviction of a felony and a violation of the provisions of R.S. 28:914(2). Grounds for removal may include failure to meet board attendance as provided in the bylaws.

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

Acts 2008, No. 373, §2, eff. June 21, 2008.