(a) The composition of the council shall reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban and rural, and economic diversity of the state and shall include all of the following:

(1) Three adult individuals with ASD, appointed by the Governor.

(2) Three individuals who are the parent or guardian of a child with ASD, appointed by the Governor.

(3) Five individuals who are service providers, appointed by the Governor.

(4) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(5) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(6) The chief executive officer, or his or her designee, of each of the following participating agencies:

a. The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.

b. The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.

c. The Alabama Department of Education.

d. The Alabama Department of Human Resources.

e. The Alabama Department of Insurance.

f. The Alabama Department of Mental Health.

g. The Alabama Department of Public Health.

h. The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.

i. The Alabama Medicaid Agency.

j. The University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.

k. The Autism Society of Alabama.

l. The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities.

m. The Alabama Academy of Pediatrics.

(b) The chief executive officers of state agencies serving on the council shall serve ex officio.

(c) Initial terms of appointed members of the council shall be staggered. Subsequent terms shall be for three years.

(d) The council shall meet at least quarterly and the meetings shall be open to the public.

(e) No member of the council shall cast a vote on any matter which would provide direct financial benefit to that member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under state law.

(f) The Governor shall appoint the chair of the council from among the membership.

(g) The Governor shall designate the lead agency for the council upon recommendation of the council.