ARTICLE 15. STATE COMMISSION ON INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY.

§29-15-1. Creation and composition.

There is created the State Commission on Intellectual Disability hereinafter referred to as the commission.

Pursuant to §5F-2-1(g) of this code, the commission created by this section is now incorporated into and administered as part of the Department of Human Services. All references to the commission in this article shall be construed to mean the Department of Human Services.

§29-15-2. Quorum; officers; meetings.

A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The commission shall elect a chairman, a vice chairman, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary. The commission shall meet at least two times each year. Meetings will be held upon call of the chairman or of a majority of its members.

§29-15-3. Employment, salary and expenses of personnel.

The commission shall have authority to employ such personnel as in its judgment may be necessary to carry out the work of the commission, and to fix the salaries for such employees. The commission may, within the limits of funds available, incur traveling and other expenses necessary to the effective discharge of its powers and duties. Requisition for such expenses shall be accompanied by a sworn and itemized statement which shall be filed with the Auditor.

§29-15-4.

Repealed.

Acts, 1991 Reg. Sess., Ch. 149.

§29-15-5. Purposes.

The Department of Human Services shall take action to carry out the following purposes:

(a) Plan for and take other steps leading to comprehensive state and community action to combat intellectual disability.

(b) Determine what action is needed to combat intellectual disability in the state and the resources available for this purpose.

(c) Develop public awareness of the intellectual disability problem and of the need for combating it.

(d) Coordinate state and local activities relating to the various aspects of intellectual disability and its prevention, treatment, or amelioration.

(e) Consult with and advise the Governor and Legislature on all aspects of intellectual disability.

(f) Consult with and advise state agencies, boards or departments with intellectual disability responsibilities relative to the effective discharge of such responsibilities.

§29-15-6. State agency for federal intellectual disability program.

The Department of Human Services is designated and established as the sole state agency for receiving appropriations under and carrying out the purposes of section five of Public Law 88-156, eighty-eighth Congress approved October 24, 1963, and any law amending, revising, supplementing or superseding section five of said Public Law 88-156.

The department constitutes the designated state agency for handling all programs of the federal government relating to intellectual disability requiring action within the state which are not the specific responsibility of another state agency under the provisions of federal law, rules or regulations, or which have not been specifically entrusted to another state agency by the Legislature.

§29-15-7. Donations and grants.

The commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this article any and all donations, any grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services (conditional or otherwise) from the United States or any agency thereof, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and may receive, utilize, administer and dispose of the same. The commission shall be empowered to comply with all regulations and requirements to qualify for such grants from the United States or agency thereof.

The Legislature shall authorize the necessary appropriation to carry out the work of the commission.

§29-15-8. Annual report required.

On or before January one of each year, the commission shall submit to the Governor and to the members of the Legislature a report summarizing the work and the activities of the commission for the preceding year.