28. a. There is created a Continuing Care Advisory Council which consists of 13 members as follows: the Commissioners of Human Services, Health, and Banking and Insurance, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio and shall be non-voting members; 10 public members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, who are residents of the State and two of whom are administrators of continuing care facilities in this State, one of whom is a representative of the business community and knowledgeable in the area of management, one of whom is a certified public accountant, one of whom is an attorney licensed to practice in this State, three of whom are residents of continuing care retirement communities in this State who are recommended by the Organization of Residents Associations of New Jersey, one of whom is a trustee or director of a continuing care retirement community in this State and one of whom is a representative of the New Jersey Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging.

b. The term of office for each public member is three years, or until the member’s successor has been appointed; except that of the public members first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, two for a term of two years and three for a term of three years.

A vacancy in the membership of the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term. A member of the council is eligible for reappointment.

The members of the council shall serve without compensation, but the council shall reimburse the members for the reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

c. The council shall hold an organizational meeting within 30 days after the appointment of its members. The members of the council shall elect from among them a chairperson, who shall be the chief executive officer of the council, and the members shall elect a secretary, who need not be a member of the council.

d. The council shall meet at least four times a year but may meet more frequently at the discretion of the chairperson or the commissioner.

e. The council may call to its assistance and avail itself of the services and assistance of any officials and employees of the Department of Community Affairs or other State agency and political subdivisions and their departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, and agencies as it requires and as is available to it for this purpose and may expend any funds that are appropriated or otherwise made available to it pursuant to this act.

f. The council shall:

(1) Advise and provide information to the commissioner on matters pertaining to the operation and regulation of continuing care retirement facilities, upon request of the commissioner;

(2) Review and comment upon, as appropriate, any proposed rules and regulations and legislation pertaining to continuing care retirement facilities;

(3) Make recommendations to the commissioner about any needed changes in rules and regulations and State and federal laws pertaining to continuing care retirement facilities; and

(4) Assist in the rehabilitation of a continuing care retirement facility, upon request of the commissioner.

g. The commissioner shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature, the commissioner’s and the council’s findings and recommendations concerning continuing care retirement communities and the implementation of this act.

L.1986, c.103, s.28; amended 2007, c.192, s.2; 2012, c.17, s.423.