(a) Any committee established by the board shall have at least three members. In making appointments to a committee the board shall consider the appointments of persons who are either recovering of substance abuse and have been free from abuse for at least three years immediately prior to their appointment or who are knowledgeable in the treatment and recovery of substance abuse. The board also shall consider the appointment of a physician and surgeon who is board certified in psychiatry.

(b) Appointments to a committee shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of members appointed to the board. Each appointment shall be at the pleasure of the board for a term not to exceed four years. In its discretion, the board may stagger the terms of the initial members so appointed.

(c) A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action requires an affirmative vote of a majority of those members present at a meeting constituting at least a quorum. Each committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson and a vice chairperson. Notwithstanding Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to public meetings, a committee may convene in closed session to consider matters relating to any physician assistant applying for or participating in a diversion program, and a meeting which will be convened entirely in closed session need not comply with § 11125 of the Government Code. A committee shall only convene in closed session to the extent it is necessary to protect the privacy of an applicant or participant. Each member of a committee shall receive a per diem and shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in Section 103.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 332, Sec. 68. (SB 1236) Effective January 1, 2013.)