2-15-211. Mental disabilities board of visitors -- composition -- allocation. (1) The governor shall appoint a mental disabilities board of visitors.

(2) (a) The board shall consist of six persons who possess qualifications necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the board defined in 53-20-104 and 53-21-104.

(b) The members of the board must meet the following requirements:

(i) one person must possess skills, knowledge, and experience relative to the treatment and welfare of adults with serious disabling mental illnesses;

(ii) one person must possess skills, knowledge, and experience relative to the treatment and welfare of children with serious emotional disturbances;

(iii) one person must possess skills, knowledge, and experience relative to the treatment and welfare of adults with developmental disabilities;

(iv) one person must be a consumer of mental health services or a family member of a consumer of mental health services; and

(v) one person must be a consumer of developmental disabilities services or a family member of a person with developmental disabilities.

(c) The members of the board must also meet the following requirements:

(i) at least one board member must be a professional person in the field of mental health treatment;

(ii) at least one board member must be a professional person in the field of developmental disabilities treatment; and

(iii) no more than three board members may be professional persons in the fields of mental health treatment and developmental disabilities treatment.

(d) A member of the board may not be a full-time agent or employee of the department of public health and human services or a mental health facility affected by Title 53, chapter 20, part 1, and Title 53, chapter 21, part 1, except this prohibition does not affect any employee of a state college or university.

(e) Board members serve for 2-year terms. The terms are staggered so that one-half of the terms expire June 30 of each year.

(3) The mental disabilities board of visitors is attached to the governor for administrative purposes. It may employ staff for the purpose of carrying out its duties as set out in Title 53, chapter 20, part 1, and Title 53, chapter 21, part 1.