Article I: Membership

1. The Department of Children Youth and Families Oversight Board (Board) consists of a total of 21 members, including: two senators and two representatives from the legislature; one non-voting representative from the governor’s office; subject matter experts; tribal representatives; and representatives from stakeholder groups as described by RCW 43.216.015.
2. Legislators serving on the Board are appointed by the leaders of the two major caucuses of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
3. The remaining members of the Board are nominated by the Governor subject to the approval of the appointed legislators by majority vote.

Terms of Office

1. Legislative members serve four-year terms and all are appointed before the close of each regular session of the legislature during odd-numbered years.
2. Non-legislative members of the Board serve four-year terms.
3. Youth members must be under twenty-five years of age at initial nomination and approval to serve on the Board, but may continue to serve on the Board after turning twenty-five years of age until the end of their four-year term.
4. Youth members may be reappointed for a subsequent term if they are under the age of twenty-five at the time of reappointment. All other members may be reappointed for subsequent terms, to serve a maximum of eight consecutive years.
5. A member whose term has expired but whose successor has not been nominated or appointed may continue to serve until replaced.
6. If a member resigns or their position otherwise becomes vacant, the successor will be nominated or appointed, as provided by RCW 43.216.015(6), for a full term at the time of appointment.
7. Members are expected to consistently attend and prepare for Board meetings and subcommittee meetings, of which they are members, in order to be effective and active participants. Members are further expected to stay current in their knowledge and understanding of the Board’s projects and work activities.
8. The Board may meet in order to review any concerns presented to the co-chairs about a Board member’s inability to perform as a member or for neglect of duty.

Reimbursement for Expenses

1. Board members are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while attending meetings of the Board or conducting business of the Board when authorized by the Board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
2. A request for authorization to receive travel reimbursement for attending meetings of the Board or conducting business of the Board must be submitted by the Board member to the staff of the Board prior to the activity prompting the request for travel reimbursement.
3. The Board staff will determine authorization for travel reimbursement based on the status of the Board’s budget. Authorization or non-authorization will be communicated to the requesting Board member prior to the activity prompting the request for travel reimbursement.