(A) There is created a multidisciplinary Vulnerable Adults Fatalities Review Committee composed of:
(1) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services;
(2) the Commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control;
(3) the Executive Director of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy;
(4) the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division;
(5) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services;
(6) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health;
(7) the Director of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;
(8) the Director of the Office on Aging;
(9) the Executive Director of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.;
(10) two representatives from two county boards of disabilities and special needs established pursuant to Section 44-20-375;
(11) a county coroner or medical examiner;
(12) an attorney with experience in prosecuting crimes against vulnerable adults;
(13) a physician with experience in treating vulnerable adults, appointed from recommendations submitted by the South Carolina Medical Association;
(14) a solicitor;
(15) a forensic pathologist; and
(16) two members of the public at large, one of whom must represent a private nonprofit community residential care facility and one of whom must represent a public for profit community residential care facility, both of which must provide services to vulnerable adults.
(B) Those members enumerated in items (1) through (10) shall serve ex officio and may appoint a designee, who has administrative or program responsibilities for vulnerable adults, to serve in their place from their particular departments or agencies. The remaining members, including the coroner or medical examiner and solicitor, who shall serve ex officio, must be appointed by the Governor for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify.
(C) A chairman and vice chairman of the committee must be elected from among the members by a majority vote of the membership for a term of two years.
(D) Meetings of the committee must be held at least quarterly. A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum.
(E) Each ex officio member shall provide sufficient staff and administrative support to carry out the responsibilities of this article.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 301, Section 9, eff May 23, 2006.