There is hereby created the West Virginia Poison Center Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as the board). The board shall be composed of eight members. The members include: The Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission or his or her designee; the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety or his or her designee; the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health or his or her designee; the Associate Vice President of West Virginia University, Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Charleston, West Virginia, who shall be chairman of the board; the president of the West Virginia Hospital Association or his or her designee; two members appointed by the Director of the Poison Center who shall represent professional health care organizations in this state with extensive experience in public health education, research or administration; and one member appointed by the Director of the Poison Center to represent the general public. All appointed members shall serve terms of four years and may be reappointed. Appointed members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for any necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings on the same basis as members of the Legislature are reimbursed for expenses.

The board shall provide advice and assistance to the director of the center in providing services as set out in this article. The board shall meet not less than two times each year on the call of the chair. Not later than July 1, of each year, the board shall prepare an annual report for the calendar year for submission to the Governor and the Legislature. The report shall include an analysis of the activities of the center and any recommendations for improvement the board may deem necessary or appropriate.