232.361  Creation; composition; Chair; terms of members; vacancies.

1.  There is hereby created in the Department a Commission on Mental Health and Developmental Services consisting of 10 members appointed by the Governor, at least 3 of whom have training or experience in dealing with mental retardation.

2.  The Governor shall appoint:

(a) A psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this State, from a list of three candidates submitted by the Nevada Psychiatric Association;

(b) A psychologist licensed to practice in this State and experienced in clinical practice, from a list of four candidates submitted by the Nevada State Psychological Association, two of whom must be from northern Nevada and two of whom must be from southern Nevada;

(c) A physician, other than a psychiatrist, licensed to practice medicine in this State and who has experience in dealing with mental retardation, from a list of three candidates submitted by the Nevada State Medical Association;

(d) A social worker who has a master’s degree and has experience in dealing with mental illness or mental retardation, or both;

(e) A registered nurse licensed to practice in this State who has experience in dealing with mental illness or mental retardation, or both, from a list of three candidates submitted by the Nevada Nurses Association;

(f) A marriage and family therapist licensed to practice in this State, from a list of three candidates submitted by the Nevada Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;

(g) A person who has knowledge and experience in the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse and the treatment and recovery of alcohol and drug abusers through a program or service provided pursuant to chapter 458 of NRS, from a list of three candidates submitted by the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services of the Department;

(h) A current or former recipient of mental health services provided by the State or any agency thereof;

(i) A representative of the general public who has a special interest in the field of mental health; and

(j) A representative of the general public who has a special interest in the field of mental retardation.

3.  The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Commission from among its members.

4.  After the initial terms, each member shall serve a term of 4 years. If a vacancy occurs during a member’s term, the Governor shall appoint a person qualified under this section to replace that member for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 2275; A 1989, 1549; 1999, 110, 1640; 2005, 547; 2007, 387)