§ 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.