(1) There is created in each region of the division of youth services a community board to:
Promote transparency and community involvement in division facilities within theregion;
Provide opportunities for youths to build positive relationships with adult role models; and
Promote youth involvement in the community.
(2) (a) Each community board must include six members with a diverse array of experience and perspectives related to incarcerated youths. Each member of each board shall be a resident of, or work within, the region in which he or she serves.
The governor or his or her designee shall appoint each member of each board to aterm of three years, and each member may serve an unlimited number of terms. Each member must serve without compensation.
A member of a community board may not be employed by the department of humanservices or the division of youth services.
Each community board shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its members.
Each community board shall meet at least once every three months. The chair of eachcommunity board may call such additional meetings as are necessary for the community board to accomplish its duties.
(3) (a) Leadership and staff members of the department of human services and the division of youth services, as well as representatives of an organization in Colorado that exists for the purpose of dealing with the state as an employer concerning issues of mutual concern between employees and the state, are invited to attend community board meetings to provide their perspectives.
(b) A management-level employee of each facility in each region shall attend each meeting of their regional community board. At least once every three months, a representative of the division of youth services shall update the community board regarding new policies, practices, and programs affecting the region and any issues of concern in the region during the past quarter.
(4) The division shall allow board members to have periodic access to enter facilities in their regions on at least a quarterly basis and speak with youths and staff, unless an emergency prevents such access.
Source: L. 2017: Entire section added, (HB 17-1329), ch. 381, p. 1961, § 2, effective June 6.