41-3-1003. Establishment of board — definition — membership. (1) As used in this part, “board” means a citizen review board appointed as provided in this section.

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(2)Subject to the availability of funds, a district court judge who has indicated in writing an interest in having a board shall establish at least one board in the judicial district to review the case of each child in the custody of the department and in foster care. A board may review a case of a child who remains in or returns to the child’s home and for whom the department retains legal custody.

(3)A board is composed of at least three and not more than five members appointed by the district court judges. Each member appointed must be sworn in by a judge of the judicial district to which the member is appointed to serve.

(4)The board must be appointed according to the following guidelines:

(a)Members of a board must be recruited from groups with special knowledge of or interest in foster care and child welfare.

(b)As far as practicable, members of a board shall represent the various socioeconomic and ethnic groups of the area served. Boards should include tribal representatives whenever possible.

(c)A person employed by the department who has a direct conflict of interest may not serve on a board.

(d)A member of a board must be a resident of one of the counties of the judicial district that the member is appointed to serve.

(5)The members of a board must be willing to serve without compensation.