Specialty services panel; creation; purpose; membership; qualifications; terms; vacancy; conflict of interest; advisory capacity; meetings.

(1) The governor shall create a specialty services panel within the department of community health to review and make determinations regarding applications for participation submitted by community mental health services programs or other managing entities. (2) The specialty services panel shall consist of the following members, appointed by the governor: (a) The director of the department of community health or his or her representative. (b) Two members who represent the department of community health, excluding an individual appointed under subdivision (a). (c) The director of the department of management and budget or his or her representative. (d) Four members who represent primary consumers or family members. (e) Five members who represent other stakeholders, including, but not limited to, 1 representative each from the statewide advocacy organizations representing adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, individuals with substance abuse disorders, and individuals with developmental disabilities. At least 1 member appointed under this subdivision shall be a county commissioner. (3) No member appointed under subsection (2)(d) or (e) shall provide direct services or represent providers who provide services for reimbursement under this act to an individual who qualifies for specialty services. (4) Members of the specialty services panel shall serve for terms of 4 years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, except that, of the members first appointed, 4 shall serve for 1 year, 5 shall serve for 2 years, and 4 shall serve for 3 years. (5) If a vacancy occurs on the specialty services panel, the governor shall make an appointment for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. (6) A member of the specialty services panel shall make known any matter in which that member has a potential conflict of interest. (7) The specialty services panel shall remain in existence to serve in an advisory capacity to the director of the department of community health regarding performance and quality relating to medicaid specialty services and supports. The panel shall meet no less than 2 times a year. The panel shall have access to all aggregate quality management information gathered by the department of community health relating to the managing entities.