3.__Membership.__Members of the former Consumer Advisory Board established under section 1216 shall serve as the initial members of the board and shall determine among themselves which members' terms expire January 1, 2005 and which terms expire January 1, 2006.__When a vacancy occurs, members shall elect replacement members by majority vote at a duly called meeting of the board.

4.__Access to information.__With regard to any institution, facility, agency or other provider serving persons with mental retardation or autism who are clients of the department or when any such person resides or participates in work or in a program in an institution, facility, agency or other provider, the board members and staff must be given direct access to all living, work and program areas and to all living, work and program area records, including, but not limited to, records related to any personal planning process, and must be given access to the personnel, but not personnel records.__The chief advocate under section 1205 may release to the board information pertaining to alleged abuse, alleged exploitation or neglect or an alleged dehumanizing practice committed upon or violation of rights of a person with mental retardation or autism.__The board shall keep any confidential information disclosed to it or discovered by it confidential, as required by section 1207.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals and reestablishes the Consumer Advisory Board; amends the duties of the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, Office of Advocacy and Consumer Affairs, Office of Advocacy; and requires the board and the office to work cooperatively in the performance of their duties.