§ 3655. Medical equipment service agency advisory board. 1. There is hereby created in the department a medical equipment service advisory board to consist of the commissioner or his or her designee as an ex-officio member, and eight other members appointed by the commissioner. The members shall include four representatives of the home medical equipment service industry and/or home medical equipment service providers, a rehabilitation technology specialist, a respiratory therapist, a physician, and a representative of the public. The commissioner shall designate one member to serve as chair.

2. The term of office of each member shall be for three years, provided however, that of the members first appointed, three shall be appointed for terms which expire December thirty-first, two thousand three, two shall be appointed for terms which expire December thirty-first, two thousand four, and three shall be appointed for terms which expire December thirty-first, two thousand five. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. The members shall continue in office until the expiration of their terms and until their successors are appointed. A member may be dismissed by the commissioner for cause, or for repeated absence.

3. The board shall meet as frequently as its business shall require, in no case less than on a semi-annual basis. The members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services as members of the board, but shall be reimbursed for necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties.

4. The commissioner, upon request of the board, may designate an employee of the department to assist the board in carrying out its responsibilities.

5. The board, upon an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, may make recommendations to the commissioner regarding the adoption, amendment and/or repeal of any rules, regulations, standards and policies regarding the provision of home medical equipment services.