(a) The Sexual Offender Registration Review Board shall be composed of three professionals licensed under Title 43 and knowledgeable in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders; at least one representative from a victims' rights advocacy group or agency; and at least two representatives from law enforcement, each of whom is either employed by a law enforcement agency as a certified peace officer under Title 35 or retired from such employment. The members of the board shall be appointed by the commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities for terms of four years. On and after July 1, 2006, successors to the members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor. Members of the board shall take office on the first day of September immediately following the expired term of that office and shall serve for a term of four years and until the appointment of their respective successors. No member shall serve on the board more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies occurring on the board, other than those caused by expiration of a term of office, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the position vacated for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is appointed. Members shall be entitled to an expense allowance and travel cost reimbursement the same as members of certain other boards and commissions as provided in Code Section 45-7-21.

(b) The board shall be attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for administrative purposes and, provided there is adequate funding, shall:

(1) Exercise its quasi-judicial, rule-making, or policy-making functions independently of the department and without approval or control of the department;

(2) Prepare its budget, if any, and submit its budgetary requests, if any, through the department; and

(3) Hire its own personnel, including but not limited to administrative personnel and clinical evaluators.

(c) Any investigator who, as of June 30, 2012, was employed by the board shall be transferred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on July 1, 2012, and shall no longer be under the administration or supervision of the board, except as required to provide the board with information as set forth in paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of Code Section 35-3-4. The executive director of the board shall arrange administratively for the transfer of any equipment relating to the transfer of such personnel.

(d) Members of the board shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this article.