§44-16-3. West Virginia Children with Autism Trust Board; creation and composition of the trustee board; duties and responsibilities; reimbursement of expenses.
(a) The West Virginia Children with Autism Trust Board is created to qualify and oversee trust accounts created pursuant to this article and held by approved banks or trust companies for administration by qualified trustees.
(b) The West Virginia Children with Autism Trust Board shall consist of the following governmental officials: The Tax Commissioner or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chair, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, or his or her designee, and the Commissioner of Banking as set forth in article one, chapter thirty-one-a of this code, or his or her designee. The board shall also consist of the following six public members who shall be appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate:
(1) An attorney at law, licensed to practice law in this state pursuant to article two, chapter thirty of this code. The attorney should have extensive knowledge and experience in the creation, management and administration of trusts;
(2) A counselor licensed in this state pursuant to the provisions of article thirty-one, chapter thirty of this code. The counselor should have experience in the delivery of vocational, rehabilitative or support services to persons with disabilities;
(3) A physician or psychiatrist licensed in this state pursuant to the provisions of article three, chapter thirty of this code. Such physician or psychiatrist must have extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosis and treatment of persons with autism;
(4) One public member with a background in advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities; and
(5) Two citizen members.
(c) Each of the appointments shall be for a period of five years and appointees are eligible for reappointment at the expiration of their terms. Of the public members of the board first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term ending June 30, 2012, and a second for a four-year term. The remainder shall be appointed for the full five-year terms as provided in this section. In the event of a vacancy among appointed members, the Governor shall appoint a person representing the same interests to fill the unexpired term.
(d) Members of the board may not be compensated in their capacity as members, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by the Department of Administration. Expense payments are to be made at the same rate paid to state employees.
(e) The board shall meet at least once per month to review and recommend to the Tax Department approval of proposed qualified trust funds or to conduct other business as required by this article or section twelve-i, article twenty-one, chapter eleven of this code. Board meetings shall be held in person, by video conference or by teleconference, or a combination thereof. Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
(f) Notwithstanding the provision of section four, article six, chapter six of this code, the Governor may remove any board member for incompetence, misconduct, gross immorality, misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office.
(g) The Department of Administration shall provide support staff and office space for the board.
(h) Nothing in this section creates an obligation of State General Revenue Funds: Provided, That funding for expenses and offices of the West Virginia Children with Autism Trust Board shall be paid, subject to appropriation.
(i) The board may propose rules for legislative approval and may adopt procedural and interpretive rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to carry out the provisions of this article.
