[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 12-21-2021 by Res. No. 1143-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Suffolk County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board is hereby created for the following purposes; all through educational programs, conferences, committees, projects, and programs without participating in or endorsing political organizations or candidates of public office:
A. 
To advise the County Executive and the County Legislature on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community in Suffolk County; and
B. 
To assist the County Executive and the County Legislature with the development and recommendation of effective policies, legislation and/or services meant to improve opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community in the County; and
C. 
To advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and its intersections of race, gender, creed, ethnicity, health status, and economic standing for justice, safety, and opportunity for all in Suffolk County; and
D. 
To cultivate a strong and active LGBTQ+ community throughout Suffolk County that empowers members and allies to lead healthy and successful lives by advancing equal access to education, housing, economic opportunity, healthcare, and other social enterprises; and
E. 
To encourage civic participation at all levels by members of the LGBTQ+ community; and
F. 
To improve cultural understanding between the LGBTQ+ community, Suffolk County government, and Suffolk County residents.
The Board shall consist of the following 13 members:
A. 
The County Executive, or his or her designee, who shall be an ex officio member;
B. 
The Director of the Office of Minority Affairs, or her or his designee, who shall be an ex officio member; and
C. 
Eleven members representing LGBTQ+ organizations/groups to be chosen by the County Executive.
The members of said Board shall serve without compensation and shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
The Board shall hold its first meeting no later than 30 days after the oaths of office of all members have been filed for the purpose of organization and the appointment of a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a secretary.
The Board shall hold regular monthly meetings, keeping a record of all proceedings and determine the rules of its own proceedings with special meetings to be called by the chairperson upon his or her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed by at least seven members of the Board. Written notice of the time and place of such special meetings shall be given by the secretary to each member at least four days before the date fixed by the notice for such special meeting.
Seven members of the Board shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the Board at both regular and special meetings.
Clerical services involving the month-to-month operation of this Board, as well as supplies and postage as necessary, will be provided by the staff of the County Office of Minority Affairs.
The Board may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at any place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose of obtaining necessary information or other data to assist it in the proper performance of its duties and functions as it deems necessary.
The Board may delegate to any member of the Board the power and authority to conduct such hearings and meetings.
The Board is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to hold at least one public hearing per year throughout the County of Suffolk to ascertain the views, wishes and opinions of the residents of the LGBTQ+ community in Suffolk County and assemble related data and information in connection therewith.
None of the work contemplated by this chapter shall be performed by any outside consultant or consulting firm unless explicit approval and authorization for such consultant or consulting firm is granted pursuant to a duly enacted resolution of the County Legislature.
This Board shall submit an annual written report of its findings and determinations together with its recommendations for action, if any, to each member of the County Legislature and the County Executive no later than January 31 of each year for the prior calendar year activities, for consideration, review, and appropriate action, if necessary by the County of Suffolk.