The commission shall consist of nine members, including the Commissioner of Health or his designee, who shall serve ex officio, and eight public members who are residents of the State and who shall be appointed as follows: one member who is a health care professional shall be appointed by the President of the Senate; one member who is a health care professional shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and six members, at least two of whom are health care professionals, at least one of whom represents health care facilities, at least one of whom represents the health insurance industry, and at least one of whom is a woman with a disability, shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. No less than five of the public members shall be women.

The term of office of each public member shall be three years, but of the members first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, three shall be appointed for a term of two years and three shall be appointed for a term of three years. A member shall hold office for the term of his appointment and until his successor has been appointed and qualified. All vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. A member of the commission is eligible for reappointment.

The public members of the commission shall not receive any compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission, within the limits of funds available to the commission.

The members of the commission shall annually elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among the public members and may select a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission.

The Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health shall provide staff and assistance which the commission requires to carry out its work.

L.2001, c.376, s.5; amended 2012, c.17, s.108.