BYLAWS
Of the Developmental Services Quality Council
Approved July 15, 2026
The Developmental Services Quality Council, hereinafter “the Council,” has been established by the New Hampshire Legislature in order to provide leadership for consistent, systemic review and improvement of the quality of the developmental disability and acquired brain disorder services provided within New Hampshire’s developmental services system. It was established by HB 483 effective August 14, 2009 and codified in state law at RSA 171-A:33.
I. Membership
1. Pursuant to RSA 171-A: 33(I), the members of the Council shall be as follows:
a. The commissioner of the NH Department of Health and Human Services, or designee.
b. A representative of People First of New Hampshire, Appointed by such organization.
c. A representative of Advocates Building Lasting Equality in New Hampshire (ABLE NH), appointed by such organization.
d. A representative of the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders who shall be either the individual who has an autism spectrum disorder or the family member of a person who has an autism spectrum disorder, appointed by the Council.
e. A representative of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, Appointed by the association.
f. Two representatives of the New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council, at the least one of whom shall be a person with a developmental disability, appointed by the council.
g. Three Representatives of local Family Support Councils, appointed by the State Family Support Council.
h. One direct support professional and one enhances family care provider, appointed by the New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council.
i. Three representatives of area agency boards of directors including at least 2 persons with a developmental disability or family members of such persons, appointed by the Community Support Network Incorporated.
j. A representative of the Community Support Network Incorporated, appointed by such organization.
k. A Representative of the Private Provider Network, appointed by such organization.
l. The director of the Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, or designee.
m. A representative of the Disability Rights Center - NH, appointed by the Center.
n. Up to 5 additional members, nominated by the council and appointed by the governor.
2. Each Member may assign a Designated Alternate to serve in their place in case of an absence, with the exception of members outlined in section Section (I)(1)(n).
3. Ex-officio members may be appointed to assist and support the work of the Council.
II. Appointment of At-Large Members
1. The Council shall nominate to the Governor, in a timely fashion, At-Large members to succeed At-Large members who are leaving office.
2. Nomination Procedures
a. The Member Relations Committee is responsible for identifying and assessing potential At-Large Members.
b. At least one of the At-Large Members will be a person from a marginalized community. Marginalized communities are communities that are excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, and/or cultural life.
c. Whenever possible, members who are people with disabilities will be prioritized.
d. The Member Relations committee will consider applicants who have completed the application process and may recommend potential members to the full Council.
e. The committee will develop an application process to assess potential new members prior to recommendation to the full Council.
f. The full Council is responsible for approving At-Large Council Members by vote at a meeting of the Council.
g. Potential At-Large Members are then submitted to the Governor for appointment by the Chair of the Council or their designee.
3. Appointment of a new member shall be effective at the completion of his/her predecessor’s term of office. If the predecessor leaves office before the end of his/her term, the successor, upon appointment, may serve the remainder of the fiscal year in which the vacancy occurred, with all member benefits, rights and responsibilities. Completion of a predecessor’s unexpired term of office, shall be in addition to the membership term limits stated in Article III of these bylaws.
III. Tenure of Members
1. Council Member are appointed to staggered 2-year terms.
2. Terms of At-Large members appointed under Section (I)(1)(n) shall be staggered.
3. There is no limitation as to the number of consecutive terms a member may serve, except members appointed under Section (I)(1)(n). At-Large Members appointed under Section (I)(1)(n) serve 2-year terms and may serve up to 2 consecutive terms.
4. As vacancies occur, the Council Chairperson will contact appointing authorities designated in I(1) to seek a replacement member as soon as practicable.
5. Council members shall have all voting rights and privileges granted by their appointment. When filling in for the council member, Designated Alternates shall have the same voting rights and privileges as the council member.
IV. Duties of the Council
1. Pursuant to RSA 171-A: 3(III), the Council shall regularly review information on the quality of developmental
services in New Hampshire and make recommendations for improving service quality and the quality assurance and continuous improvement systems, including but not limited to:
a. Standards of quality and performance expected of area agencies and provider agencies.
b. Types of data to be collected, analyzed, and disseminated to determine whether standards are being met.
c. Quality assurance and oversight mechanisms to be used to gather data and information.
d. Content, frequency, and recipients of quality evaluation and improvement reports.
e. Expectations and procedures for following up on identified areas where improvements are needed.
f. Structures, policies, rules, and practices, including staffing or organizational changes, to ensure that the developmental services system works as intended in RSA 171-A:1, including:
1) Ways of supporting values-based and person-centered service planning and provision, as well as problem solving, innovation, and learning;
2) Recognizing and disseminating what is working well (best/model practices); and
3) Reviewing, interpreting, and disseminating data and information on a regular basis to bring about transparency for all stakeholders and the public.
g. Preparing an Annual Report that includes the Council’s recommendations and an assessment of the actions taken in response to previous recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the members of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
V. Duties of Council Members
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Attendance at Meetings
a. Council members or their Designated Alternate are expected to be actively engaged in the Council once seated. This includes regular participation in meetings.
b. If the Council member and their Designated Alternate are unable to attend the meeting, the Council member is expected to notify the Council Chair person and the Council Administrator at least 24 hours in advance for the meeting or as soon as possible.
c. A Council member absent from two consecutive Full Council meetings without any communication shall receive a formal communication from the Council Chairperson concerning the member's desire or ability to remain on the Council, if they have not communicated reasons for their absence. d. Notwithstanding item (3) above, Council members absent from three consecutive Full Council meetings without explanation, shall receive formal communication from the Council Chairperson that they have been deemed to have resigned from the Council.
e. Any exceptions will be at the review and discretion of the Chairperson, in consultation with the Executive Committee based on the member’s overall participation in the Council.
f. If a member is unable to participate in the Council, the member must provide communication of resignation to the Council Chairperson, Council Administrator, and the appointing authority.
g. It is the responsibility of the appointing authority to assist the Council in filling membership vacancies.
2. Council members seated by appointing authorities should share Council information with their respective organizations and share their perspectives with the Council. When information is requested of these members, members shall provide this information in a timely manner whenever possible.
3. Council members are expected to serve on at least one committee.
VI. Operating Procedures
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Meetings
a. The Council operates under Robert’s Rules of Order.
b. The Council shall hold at least six Council meetings per calendar year. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairperson, as necessary.
c. A period for public comment is included on the agenda at all Council meetings.
d. The September meeting of the Council is its Annual Meeting for the purposes of electing officers.
e. For the purpose of convening council meetings in compliance with RSA 91-A, a quorum of the Council shall be a majority plus one member of the appointed members of the council. Members who are not able to be physically present at council meetings due to their disabilities or the disability of a family member shall be counted as attending "in person" for the purpose of the establishment of a quorum provided that each member participating electronically or otherwise is able to simultaneously hear and speak to each of the other Council members during the meeting, and shall be audible or otherwise discernable to public in attendance at the meeting's location. Any member participating in such fashion shall identify the persons present in the location from which the member is participating.
2. Officers
a. A Chairperson is selected by a majority of the Council members for a term of one year at the Annual Meeting. The Chairperson presides at all meetings, plans and organizes meetings, prepares the agenda, reviews minutes, assists in preparing required documents, and signs all official documents on behalf of the Council. The Chairperson is responsible for representing the Council in all venues unless otherwise determined by the Council; the Chairperson may designate another member of the Council to represent the Council as needed.
b. The Council also elects a Vice-Chairperson for a term simultaneous to the selection of the chair. The Chairperson may request assistance from the Vice Chairperson in any of his or her duties and shall preside at meetings in which the Chairperson is absent.
3. Committees
a. The Council may establish committees/subcommittees, as needed, to carry out the work of the Council. Such committees may include Council members, ex-officio Council members, and other individuals who can contribute to the work of the committee. Any committee so established is chaired by a member of Council, whether appointed under RSA 171-A: 33 section I or ex officio. Committees receive their charge from the Council and report on their work, recommendations, and/or conclusions as requested by the Council Chairperson.
b. The chairpersons of all Council committees/subcommittees will meet periodically or as needed as determined by the Council or the committee/subcommittee chairpersons to coordinate the work
of their various groups.
c. The Member Relations Committee shall be a standing committee of the Council.
4. Administrative Support
a. Administrative support to the Council will be provided by the NH Department of Health and Human Services or its designee.
b. Council members serve without compensation. However, as funds are available, the Bureau of Developmental Services may provide reimbursement to members for their reasonable travel expenses and a stipend for members who are not paid by other organizations to attend meetings.
5. Changes to these policies and procedures
a. The Council may change the policies and procedures described here , with the exception of those set out in RSA 171-A: 33, RSA 91-A, or other relevant state laws by supermajority (2/3) vote.
b. The Council shall complete a review of these bylaws at least every three years.
Adopted January 12, 2010 by vote of the NH Developmental Services Quality Council.
Revised August 17, 2022 by vote of the NH Developmental Services Quality Council.
Revised February 15, 2023 by vote of the NH Developmental Services Quality Council.
Revised July 15, 2026 by vote of the NH Developmental Services Quality Council.
Chairperson, Developmental Services Quality Council
Vice Chairperson, Developmental Services Quality Council