(a) There is established a Council on Developmental Services which shall consist of fifteen members appointed as follows: Eight shall be appointed by the Governor, for two-year terms, one of whom shall be a doctor of medicine licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or psychiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 370, one of whom shall be a person with intellectual disability who is receiving services from the Department of Developmental Services and at least two of whom shall be a relative or a guardian of a person with intellectual disability; six shall be appointed by members of the General Assembly for two-year terms, one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability, appointed by the speaker of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability appointed by the majority leader of the House, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, and one of whom shall be a relative or guardian of a person with intellectual disability, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a member of the board of trustees of the Southbury Training School, appointed by said board for a term of one year. No member of the council may serve more than three consecutive terms, except that a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The members of the council shall serve without compensation except for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The Commissioner of Developmental Services or the commissioner’s designee shall be an ex-officio member of the Council on Developmental Services without vote and shall attend its meetings. No employee of any state agency engaged in the care or training of persons with intellectual disability shall be eligible for appointment to the council. The council shall appoint annually, from among its members, a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary. The council may make rules for the conduct of its affairs. The council shall meet at least six times per year and at other times upon the call of the chair or the written request of any two members.

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 17a-270

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • intellectual disability: means a significant limitation in intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior that originated during the developmental period before eighteen years of age. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1g
  • Majority leader: see Floor Leaders
  • Minority leader: See Floor Leaders
  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.

(b) The council shall consider and advise on such matters as its members, the board of trustees of the training school and the Commissioner of Developmental Services may request. The council shall consult with the Commissioner of Developmental Services on the administration of the state program for persons with intellectual disability. The council shall recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly such legislation as will in its judgment improve the care and training of persons with intellectual disability.