J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      173

THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE WELFARE BOARD, THE PRAC-
TICING PHYSICIANS, THE CLERGY, AND THE LEGAL PRO-
FESSION, AND THREE TO SIX ADDITIONAL MEMBERS REP-
RESENTING THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. THE TERM OF
OFFICE OF EACH MEMBER SHALL BE FOR THREE YEARS
COMMENCING FROM THE FIRST DAY OF JULY OF THE
YEAR OF APPOINTMENT EXCEPT THAT OF THE MEMBERS
FIRST APPOINTED ONE-THIRD SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR
A TERM OF TWO YEARS AND ONE-THIRD FOR A TERM OF
ONE YEAR. MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED TWO CONSECU-
TIVE FULL TERMS SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAP-
POINTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FOLLOWING
COMPLETION OF SUCH TERMS. THE OFFICERS OF THE
COMMITTEE SHALL BE ELECTED ANNUALLY BY THE MEM-
BERSHIP AND THE CHAIRMANSHIP SHALL BE ROTATED ON
AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE EM-
POWERED TO CREATE INTERNAL SUB-COMMITTEES AND
DRAW IN ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS AS NEEDED. THE
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
REGIONAL MENTAL HOSPITAL SHALL BE EX-OFFICIO
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THE LOCAL HEALTH
OFFICER SHALL PROVIDE STAFF SERVICES TO THE COM-
MITTEE AND FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

TWO OR MORE COUNTIES BY AGREEMENT OF THE GOV-
ERNING BODIES CONCERNED AND UPON THE CONSENT OF
THE COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HYGIENE WITH THE AP-
PROVAL OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND MENTAL
HYGIENE, MAY ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY MENTAL
HEALTH PROGRAM AND AN INTER-COUNTY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, IF THE POPULATION OF ONE OF THE COUN-
TIES IS TOO SMALL TO WARRANT ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
INDEPENDENT PROGRAM.

(d)    The inter-county advisory board COMMITTEE shall be
selected by the governing bodies of the counties concerned. Each
participating jurisdiction shall appoint at least four members.

(e)    The function of each community mental health advisory
board COMMITTEE shall be to:

(1)    periodically review available services and facilities and deter-
mine local mental health program needs;

(2)    advise and report annually to the governing body(ies) and
to the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene on progress of the local
mental health program and of actions needed for further improve-
ment; and

(3)    make recommendations for appropriate allocation of funds
in accordance with agreed upon priorities and consideration of finan-
cial resources (private and public, local and State).

(f)    The Commissioner of Mental Hygiene with the approval of
the Board of Health and Mental Hygiene shall prepare and period-
ically revise the comprehensive mental health plan for mental health
services, which plan includes: (1) an inventory of mental health
resources in the State; (2) a statement of the needs of the various
areas for services taking into consideration existing resources and