A city or county, before it shall come within the provisions of this chapter, shall establish a behavioral health authority with a board of directors with no less than six and no more than 18 members. When any city or county establishes a behavioral health authority, the board of directors shall be appointed by the governing body of the city or county establishing the authority. Prior to making appointments, the governing body shall disclose the names of persons being considered for appointment.

Appointments to the board of directors shall be broadly representative of the community. One-third of the appointments to the board shall be individuals who are receiving or who have received services or family members of individuals who are receiving or who have received services, at least one of whom shall be an individual receiving services. One or more appointments may be nongovernmental services providers. Sheriffs or their designees also shall be appointed, when practical.

No board of directors shall include more than two local government officials, elected or appointed, as members.

The board of directors appointed pursuant to this section shall be responsible to the governing body of the city or county that established the authority.

The county or city that establishes a behavioral health authority shall receive an independent annual audit of the total revenues and expenditures from the authority, a copy of which shall be provided to the Department.

1995, c. 693, § 15.1-1679; 1996, c. 861; 1997, c. 587, § 37.1-245; 1998, c. 680; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.