The hearing office, in collaboration with the department, shall establish and maintain an advisory committee composed of stakeholders including recipients and family members, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the protection and advocacy agency identified in Section 4900 et. seq and designated by the Governor to fulfill the requirements and assurances of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, contained in Chapter 144 (commencing with Section 15001) of Title 42 of the United States Code, representatives of regional centers, advocacy organizations, and the Association of Regional Center Agencies. The advisory committee shall meet at least semiannually and assist the hearing office by providing nonbinding recommendations for improvements to fair hearing and mediation operations.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 49, Sec. 70. (SB 188) Effective June 30, 2022.)