53-20-207. Regional councils. (1) The department shall approve a citizens' organization as a regional council for each of the following five regions:
     (a) region one, consisting of Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Garfield, McCone, Richland, Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, and Carter Counties;
     (b) region two, consisting of Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Pondera, Teton, Chouteau, and Cascade Counties;
     (c) region three, consisting of Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Yellowstone, Big Horn, and Carbon Counties;
     (d) region four, consisting of Powell, Lewis and Clark, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Meagher, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, and Park Counties; and
     (e) region five, consisting of Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties.
     (2) Under guidelines adopted by the department, a citizens' organization approved by the department shall be broadly representative of the region, and at least one-third of its members shall be consumers or representatives of consumers or consumer organizations in the discipline of developmental disabilities.
     (3) A citizens' organization shall be approved under procedures and rules adopted by the department.
     (4) A regional council member who is not a full-time employee of the state or of a county is entitled to be reimbursed in an amount to be determined by the department, not to exceed $25, for each day actually and necessarily engaged in the performance of council duties and for expenses as provided in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503. A council member who is a full-time state or county employee may not be compensated for service as a member of a regional council but shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided for in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.
     (5) A regional council shall:
     (a) make an annual written review and evaluation of needs and services within the region and provide a copy of the review and evaluation to the planning and advisory council;
     (b) advise the department, other state agencies, councils, local governments, and private organizations on programs for services to persons with developmental disabilities within the region; and
     (c) develop a plan for a system of community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities within the region and provide a copy of the plan to the planning and advisory council.

     History: En. 71-2407 by Sec. 6, Ch. 239, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 559, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 71-2407; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 414, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 255, L. 1995.