(a) There is established the Council on Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.

(b) The Council on Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (the Council) shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Division of Services for the Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and shall consider matters relating to the formation of local community councils for the aging and for adults with physical disabilities, programs and projects in this State to benefit the aging and adults with physical disabilities and such other matters as may be referred to it by the Governor, the Secretary of the Department or the Director of the Division of Services for the Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. The Council may study, research, plan and advise the Director, the Secretary and the Governor on matters it deems appropriate to enable the Division to function in the best possible manner.

(c) The Council on Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities shall be composed of 15 members. Members shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of up to 3 years. The terms of the Council members shall be staggered in such a manner so that the terms of no more than 7 members expire in 1 year. The Council shall consist of the following:

(1) Three members, each being a resident from a different county in this State and an aging or elderly person or a caregiver of an aging or elderly person as defined in § 7920 of this title.

(2) Four members, each being from a public or nonprofit agency that provides services to aging persons.

(3) Three members, each being a resident from a different county in this State and an adult with a physical disability or a caregiver of an adult with a physical disability as defined in § 7920 of this title.

(4) Four members, each being from a public or nonprofit agency that provides services to persons with physical disabilities.

(5) One member who represents veterans’ issues.

(d) The Council membership shall be composed of representatives in the following areas:

(e) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident to their duties as members of the Council.

(f) A Chairperson of the Council shall be elected annually by the members of the Council from among its members, except that the office shall rotate between representatives of the aging community and representatives of adults with physical disabilities. In its first year of operation, the Council shall be chaired by a representative of the aging community. In its second year of operation, the Council shall be chaired by a representative of adults with physical disabilities. Thereafter, the chairperson shall alternate and shall serve a 2-year term. A chairperson shall be eligible to serve 2 nonconsecutive terms.

(g) Any replacement appointment to the Council to fill a vacancy prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the term.

(h) Members who are absent from more than 3 consecutive meetings, unless excused by the Council, shall be discharged from the Council by the Council Chairperson.

(i) The Council may establish subcommittees and make appointments to any such subcommittees with the approval of all members of the Council.

(j) A quorum of the Council consists of a majority of the council members.

(k) All decisions made by the Council relative to policy and budget shall be made by a majority of the members present at a meeting with a quorum. Staff assistance shall be given to the Council and any subcommittees.

29 Del. C. 1953, § 7915; 57 Del. Laws, c. 301, § 1; 57 Del. Laws, c. 591, § 68; 60 Del. Laws, c. 525, §§ 1-3; 62 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 1-4; 66 Del. Laws, c. 47, §§ 1-5; 69 Del. Laws, c. 345, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 228, §§ 1-3; 81 Del. Laws, c. 210, § 1.