45.03 - State commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities; organization.
§ 45.03 State commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities; organization. (a) There shall be within the executive department a state commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities. It shall consist of three persons to be appointed by the governor, by and with the consent of the senate. The persons so appointed shall have expressed an active interest in or obtained professional knowledge in the care of and in the provision of services, supports, and advocacy for persons with disabilities and in disability endeavors generally. The governor shall designate one of the members as chair to serve as such at the pleasure of the governor. The members of the commission, except for the chair who shall devote full time to his or her duties, shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties within appropriations made therefor. (b) The members shall hold office for terms of five years; provided that of the members first appointed, one shall serve for a term of one year, one shall serve for a term of three years and one shall serve for a term of five years from January first next succeeding his or her appointment. Any member of the commission may be removed by the governor for cause. (c) Any member chosen to fill a vacancy created other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she is to succeed. Vacancies caused by expiration of term or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments. (d) There shall be within the state commission on quality of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities a division of advocacy and outreach for persons with physical disabilities, with a director appointed pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 45.05 of this article, who shall devote full time to his or her duties. The primary responsibilities of such division shall be advocacy on behalf of persons with physical disabilities, and assuring, on behalf of the state, that persons with physical disabilities are afforded the opportunity to exercise all of the rights and responsibilities accorded to citizens of this state.