Section 3655. Medical equipment service agency advisory board

1. There is
  hereby created in the department a medical  equipment  service  advisory
  board  to  consist  of  the  commissioner  or  his or her designee as an
  ex-officio  member,  and  eight   other   members   appointed   by   the
  commissioner. The members shall include four representatives of the home
  medical equipment service industry and/or home medical equipment service
  providers,   a   rehabilitation  technology  specialist,  a  respiratory
  therapist,  a  physician,  and  a  representative  of  the  public.  The
  commissioner shall designate one member to serve as chair.
    2.  The  term  of  office  of  each  member  shall be for three years,
  provided however, that of the members first appointed,  three  shall  be
  appointed  for  terms  which  expire December thirty-first, two thousand
  three,  two  shall  be  appointed  for  terms  which   expire   December
  thirty-first,  two thousand four, and three shall be appointed for terms
  which expire December thirty-first, two thousand five.  Vacancies  shall
  be  filled  by  appointment  for  the  unexpired term. The members shall
  continue in office until the expiration of their terms and  until  their
  successors  are appointed. A member may be dismissed by the commissioner
  for cause, or for repeated absence.
    3. The board shall meet as frequently as its business  shall  require,
  in  no  case  less than on a semi-annual basis. The members of the board
  shall receive no compensation for  their  services  as  members  of  the
  board,  but  shall  be  reimbursed  for  necessary  and  actual expenses
  incurred in the performance of his or her duties.
    4. The commissioner, upon request  of  the  board,  may  designate  an
  employee  of  the  department  to  assist  the board in carrying out its
  responsibilities.
    5. The board, upon an affirmative vote of a majority of  its  members,
  may  make  recommendations  to  the commissioner regarding the adoption,
  amendment  and/or  repeal  of  any  rules,  regulations,  standards  and
  policies regarding the provision of home medical equipment services.