(a) There is hereby created the State Child Death Review Team, referred to in this article as the state team.

(b) The state team shall be situated within the Alabama Department of Public Health for administrative and budgetary purposes.

(c) The state team shall be a multidisciplinary, multiagency review team, composed of 28 members, the first 7 of whom are ex officio. The ex officio members may designate representatives from their particular departments or offices to represent them on the state team who may vote and exercise all other prerogatives of the appointment. The members of the state team shall include all of the following:

(1) The Jefferson County Coroner, Medical Examiner.

(2) The State Health Officer who shall serve as chair.

(3) One member appointed by the Alabama Sheriff's Association.

(4) The Director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

(5) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

(6) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

(7) The Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

(8) A pediatrician with expertise in SIDS appointed by the Alabama Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.

(9) A health professional with expertise in child abuse and neglect appointed by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

(10) A family practice physician appointed by the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians.

(11) A pediatric pathologist appointed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

(12) Eight private citizens appointed by the Governor.

(13) A member of the clergy appointed by the Governor.

(14) A representative of the Alabama Coroner's Association.

(15) A representative of the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers.

(16) A representative of the Alabama Sheriff's Association.

(17) A representative of the Alabama District Attorney's Association.

(18) A specialist in pediatric emergency medicine appointed by the Alabama Medical Association.

(19) A representative of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.

(20) Chair of the Senate Health Committee or his or her designee and the Chair of the House Health Committee or his or her designee.

(d) Members who are not ex officio shall serve for a three-year term and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. Terms for these members shall be staggered.

(e) Staffing for the state team shall be provided through the Alabama Department of Public Health using funds appropriated for this article.

(f) The initial meeting of the state team shall be held within 60 days of September 11, 1997. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly thereafter.

(g) Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum for conducting all activities of the state team which may require a vote among the members. A simple majority of members present constituting a quorum shall be required for any affirmative vote.