(A) There is established the Birth Defects Advisory Council composed of at least thirteen members to be appointed by the commissioner of the department, with an odd total number of members. The members shall include at least one representative from each of the following organizations, upon the recommendation of the director of the respective organization:

(1) American Academy of Pediatrics, South Carolina Chapter, a board- certified physician in neonatal-perinatal medicine;

(2) American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, South Carolina Chapter, a board-certified physician in maternal fetal medicine;

(3) Greenwood Genetic Center;

(4) University of South Carolina School of Medicine, a board-certified genetics professional who must be a physician or genetics counselor;

(5) Medical University of South Carolina, a board-certified physician in pediatric cardiology or a board-certified genetics professional;

(6) March of Dimes, South Carolina Chapter;

(7) South Carolina Perinatal Association;

(8) South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(9) South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services;

(10) Parent of a child with a birth defect, recommended by a South Carolina family advocacy or disability organization;

(11) An adult who was born with a birth defect, recommended by a South Carolina family advocacy or disability organization;

(12) South Carolina Hospital;

(13) South Carolina Medical Association, a licensed physician specializing in genetics.

(B) The Birth Defects Advisory Council shall meet periodically, but at least annually, with staff from the department. The commissioner of the department or his designee must be a nonvoting ex officio advisory council member.

(C) The advisory council may make recommendations to the department concerning the following:

(1) the establishment of procedures for the birth defects program;

(2) the transition from the existing South Carolina Neural Tube Defects Prevention Program into an integrated system of comprehensive birth defects monitoring based at the department;

(3) the allocation of funding, cooperative agreements, and grants; and

(4) evaluation of the birth defects program.

(D) The members of the council shall serve in a voluntary capacity and are not entitled to compensation, mileage, per diem, or subsistence.