(a) There is created the Board of Community Health which shall establish the general policy to be followed by the Department of Community Health. The powers, functions, and duties of the Board of Medical Assistance as they existed on June 30, 1999, with regard to the Department of Medical Assistance, and the powers, functions, and duties of the State Personnel Board as they existed on June 30, 1999, with regard to the state health benefit plan, are transferred to the Board of Community Health effective July 1, 1999. The board shall consist of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

(b) The Governor shall designate the initial terms of the members of the board as follows: three members shall be appointed for one year; three members shall be appointed for two years; and three members shall be appointed for three years. Thereafter, all succeeding appointments shall be for three-year terms from the expiration of the previous term.

(c) Vacancies in office shall be filled by appointment by the Governor in the same manner as the appointment to the position on the board which becomes vacant, and the appointment shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation at the next session of the General Assembly. An appointment to fill a vacancy other than by expiration of a term of office shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(d) Members of the board may be removed from office under the same conditions for removal from office of members of professional licensing boards provided in Code Section 43-1-17.

(e) There shall be a chairperson of the board elected by and from the membership of the board who shall be the presiding officer of the board.

(f) The members of the board shall receive a per diem allowance and expenses as shall be set and approved by the Office of Planning and Budget in conformance with rates and allowances set for members of other state boards.