NY Exec L § 561 (2021)
2021 New York Laws EXC - Executive Article 20 - Protection of People With Special Needs 561 - Advisory Council.

§  561.  Advisory council. 1. There shall be within the justice center an advisory council consisting of no less than  fifteen  members  to  be appointed  by  the  governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. Members shall be appointed  on  the  basis  of  their  professional  and personal  knowledge in the care and treatment of and in the provision of services, supports, and advocacy to and on behalf of service recipients, as defined in subdivision nine of section four hundred  eighty-eight  of the  social  services  law,  and individuals with disabilities, or their active interest in the system of services for such service recipients or individuals with disabilities. In making such appointments, the governor shall  endeavor  to  ensure  the  overall  membership  of  the   council adequately  reflects  the  programs  and  services  within  the  justice center's jurisdiction and that at least  one-half  of  the  members  are individuals  or  parents  or  relatives  of  individuals who are or have participated in or are or have been recipients of programs and  services within  the justice center's jurisdiction. The council shall include but shall not be limited to:  (a) members of boards of visitors appointed pursuant to articles seven and thirteen of the mental hygiene law;  (b) consumer representatives,  including  current  or  former  service recipients of an applicable facility or provider agency;  (c) parents, relatives or guardians of such service recipients;  (d) providers of services to vulnerable persons;  (e)   directors  of  facilities,  community  services  or  members  of community services boards;  (f) current and former consumers  of  services  for  individuals  with physical disabilities;  (g)  members  of  organizations  that advocate on behalf of vulnerable persons and individuals with disabilities; and  (h) an employee of  a  facility  or  provider  agency  as  defined  in subdivision  four  of  section  four  hundred eighty-eight of the social services law.   2. Members shall be appointed  for  terms  of  three  years  provided, however,  that  of  the  members  first  appointed,  one-third  shall be appointed for one-year  terms  and  one-third  shall  be  appointed  for two-year  terms.  A member may be removed by the governor for good cause after notice and an opportunity to be heard on  the  charges.  Vacancies shall  be  filled  in  the  same manner as original appointments for the remainder of any unexpired term.   3. The governor shall designate one member of the council as its chair to serve as such at the pleasure of the governor.   4. Council members shall not receive  compensation,  but  each  member shall  be  entitled  to  receive  his  or  her  reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with his or her  services  as  a  member within the amounts appropriated therefor.   5.  The  council  shall  have an executive secretary designated by the executive director of the justice center.  The  executive  director  may also  assign  such  other employees of the justice center as the council may from time to time require to assist it in  the  performance  of  its duties.   6.  The  council  shall  advise  and  assist  the  justice  center  in developing policies, proposed regulations, plans and programs  to  carry out  its  functions,  powers  and  duties  pursuant to this section. The council may consider any matter related to improving the quality of life of citizens of the state who have  disabilities  and  shall  advise  the justice center on any such matter.    7.  The  council  shall  meet  at least four times a year. The council shall meet at the request of its chair or the executive director of  the justice center.