4. a. There is established in the Department of Health and Senior Services, the “Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism.” The council shall be composed of 14 members as follows: seven persons to be appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be members of the public who do not occupy a leadership position in any of the organizations represented on the council, of which two members one shall be a person with a diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorder or the family member of such a person, four of whom shall be appointed in consultation with the presidents of academic institutions in this State that are engaged in autism research, and one of whom shall be a representative of a health care organization with demonstrated clinical expertise in the evaluation and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; one person to be appointed by the President of the Senate and one person to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; one person to be appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services; and four persons, also to be appointed by the Governor, who represent autism organizations in New Jersey, each of whom shall represent no more than one such organization.

b. At its first meeting of each calendar year, the council shall select, by a simple majority of the members present, a chairperson from among its members, who shall serve as the chairperson until the first meeting held in the next calendar year, at which time the same person may be selected as chairperson or a new chairperson may be selected in the same manner. The members of the council shall serve for three-year terms. Each member shall hold office for the term of appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualified. All vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Members appointed to fill a vacancy occurring for any reason other than the expiration of the term shall serve for the unexpired term only. The members of the council shall be eligible for reappointment.

c. The members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

d. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

e. The council shall meet periodically at the call of the chairperson, but not less than four times in each calendar year.

f. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, in consultation with the council, shall appoint a director of the council. The director shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of that position. The director at the direction of the council, may call upon the commissioner for additional staff assistance and resources as appropriate.

L.1999, c.105, s.4; amended L.2007, c.168, s.4.