2023 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.