The legislature declares that meaningful citizen involvement with and participation in the planning and programs of the department of social and health services are essential in order that the public may better understand the operations of the department, and the department staff may obtain the views and opinions of concerned and affected citizens. As a result of the creation of the department of social and health services and the resulting restructuring of programs and organization of the department's components, and as a further result of the legislative mandate to the department to organize and deliver services in a manner responsive to changing needs and conditions, it is necessary to provide for flexibility in the formation and functioning of the various committees and councils which presently advise the department, to restructure the present committees and councils, and to provide for new advisory committees and councils, so that all such committees and councils will more appropriately relate to the changing programs and services of the department.
RCW 43.20A.350