(a) Upon application of the commissioner or his designee, the Governor may appoint one or more special judges of probate for the purpose of considering, hearing and entering appropriate orders with regard to the commitment or continued custody of such persons who have been committed by any court of this state to any facility pursuant to the provisions of Sections 15-16-24 and 15-16-40, accused of a crime but not yet tried, or transferred to such facility on order of the Governor, pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 of this chapter.

(b) A special judge of probate appointed under the provisions of this article shall be vested with all authority, duties, responsibilities and judicial functions of the probate court having jurisdiction over any person involuntarily committed by the probate court of any county in the State of Alabama to any facility operated by the Department of Mental Health. Such jurisdiction of the judges of probate of Tuscaloosa and Mobile Counties or any special judge of probate appointed under the provisions of the article shall be concurrent with the probate court having jurisdiction over the commitment or continued custody of such insane person.

(c) Any hearing conducted by the probate judge of Tuscaloosa or Mobile Counties or any special judge of probate appointed under the provisions of this article shall be conducted in the facilities provided by the Department of Mental Health wherein such persons committed as a patient are located.

(d) Any special judge of probate appointed under the provisions of this article shall be a citizen of the State of Alabama and licensed to practice law in this state; he shall not, however, be required to be a resident of the county or counties for which he is appointed.