Section 28-16A-5 - Powers and dutiesA. The council shall:(1) provide statewide advocacy for persons with developmental disabilities;(2) develop and submit to the federal government the five-year plan for council activities and any amendments to the plan;(3) to the maximum extent feasible, review and comment on all state plans that relate to programs affecting persons with developmental disabilities;(4) submit to the secretary of the United States department of health and human services, through the office of the governor, periodic reports that the secretary may request;(5) advise the governor and the legislature about the needs of persons with developmental disabilities;(6) hold all council meetings with a video conference option;(7) carry out any other activities authorized or required by the provisions of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000; and(8) oversee the office of the state special education ombud.B. The council is authorized to: (1) award grants and enter into contracts to carry out its duties;(2) seek funding from sources other than the state;(3) create and support regional county or local advisory councils;(4) provide training to persons with developmental disabilities, their families and providers of support and services through traineeships, sponsoring training opportunities and by other means determined appropriate by the council; and(5) promulgate rules in accordance with the State Rules Act [Chapter 14, Article 4 NMSA 1978] to carry out the provisions of the Special Education Ombud Act [28-16C-1 to 28-16C-11 NMSA 1978].Amended by 2021, c. 61,s. 5, eff. 6/18/2021.Amended by 2021, c. 53,s. 12, eff. 6/18/2021.