Sec. 939.

(1) The state mental health advisory council on deafness is created in the department as a successor to the mental health advisory council on the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. The council shall consist of 12 members appointed by the governor. At least 4 members shall be deaf persons as defined in section 2 of the deaf persons' interpreters act, 1982 PA 204, MCL 393.502. The remaining members shall be persons knowledgeable in the area of deafness, mental health, or both. The members shall be appointed for 2-year terms beginning on April 1, except that in the first year, 6 members shall be appointed for a 1-year term, and 6 members shall be appointed for a 2-year term. A vacancy on the council shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(2) The state mental health advisory council on deafness shall advise and assist the director of the department on mental health services, policies, and programs for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. The council is responsible for all of the following:

(a) Identifying and assessing current needs of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons with mental health problems.

(b) Monitoring mental health program delivery to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons.

(c) Recommending programs, policy development, and training that shall ensure quality service delivery of specialized mental health services to meet the needs of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons.

(3) The state mental health advisory council on deafness shall report its findings and recommendations at least annually to the department, citizens mental health advisory council, the governor, and the house and senate appropriations committees.

(4) The members of the state mental health advisory council on deafness shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses by the department.

(5) The first meeting each year of the state mental health advisory council on deafness shall be called by a majority of the members at which time a chairperson shall be elected. The council shall meet at least 4 times a year and at the call of the chairperson.

History: Add. 1984, Act 354, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1984 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 263, Imd. Eff. Oct. 15, 1990 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 239, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of the state mental health advisory council on deafness to the director of the department of community health and abolishment of the council, see E.R.O. No. 1997-4, compiled at MCL 333.26324 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.