(a) There is created a Board of Human Resources which shall establish the general policy to be followed by the Department of Human Resources created by Code Section 49-2-1. The board shall consist of 15 members, with at least one but not more than two from each congressional district in the state, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Seven members of the board shall be engaged professionally in rendering health services, and at least five of these seven members shall be licensed to practice medicine pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43.

(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; three members shall be appointed for three years; three members shall be appointed for four years; and three members shall be appointed for five years. Thereafter, all succeeding appointments shall be for five-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) There shall be a chairman of the board, elected by and from the membership of the board, who shall be the presiding officer of the board.

(e) Those members engaged in rendering health services shall comprise no more than seven members of the total membership of the board.

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