(a) Employees.--Employees of the board shall, for the purposes of 71 Pa.C.S. Pt. XXV (relating to retirement for State employees and officers), be considered a State employee. Employees of the board shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties.
(b) Hearing panel members.--Individuals appointed to hearing panels in accordance with section 1722 (relating to powers and duties of board) shall receive a per diem for the time actually devoted to the business of the board. The per diem rate shall be fixed by the Executive Board, but no panel member shall be paid more than $25,000 per diem compensation in any calendar year.