(a) The commission shall facilitate the recruitment and retention of qualified health care providers that are properly qualified to conduct forensic examinations. The commission shall work with county and regional officials to identify areas of greatest need and develop and implement recruitment and retention programs to help facilitate the effective collection of evidence.

(b) The commission shall authorize minimum training requirements for providers conducting exams and establish a basic standard of care for victims of sexual assault. The commission may adopt necessary and reasonable requirements relating to establishment of a statewide training and forensic examination system, including, but not limited to, developing a data collection system to monitor adherence to established standards, assisting exam providers to receive training and support services, advocating the fair and reasonable reimbursement to exam providers and facilitating transportation services for victims to get to and from designated exam locations.

(c) The commission shall approve local plans for each area of the state on a county or regional basis. If the commission deems necessary, it may add or remove a county or portion thereof from a region to assure that all areas of the state are included in an appropriate local plan. Upon the failure of any county or local region to propose a plan, the commission may implement a plan for that county or region.

(d) Once a plan is approved by the commission, it can only be amended or otherwise altered as provided by the rules authorized pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. Designated facilities and organizations providing services shall give the commission thirty days' advance notice of their intent to withdraw from the plan. If there is a change of circumstances that would require a change in a county or regional plan, the members of the local board and the state commission shall be notified.

(e) The commission may adopt and modify bylaws, policies and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and the operation of the committee. The commission may propose rules for legislative approval, in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, as are necessary to implement this article.

(f) The commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair and such other officers as it deems necessary. Special meetings may be held upon the call of the chair, vice chair or a majority of the members of the commission. A majority of the members of the commission present in person, by proxy or designation, or by electronic means constitutes a quorum.

(g) Any member appointed to the commission who is a written designated representative has the full rights of a member, including the right to vote, serve on subcommittees or perform any other function.

(h) The commission may make recommendations to the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Correction for legislation related to the commission's duties and responsibilities or for research or studies by the Division of Justice and Community Services on topics related to the commission's duties and responsibilities.