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## § 51.5-127 – Commonwealth Council on Aging; purpose; membership; terms

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A. The Commonwealth Council on Aging (the Council) is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Council shall be to promote an efficient, coordinated approach by state government to meeting the needs of older Virginians.

B. The Council shall consist of 18 members as follows:

1. Eight members to be appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, each of whom shall represent one of the eight regions of the Commonwealth identified by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service in its Virginia Regional Map (2017). Four of such members shall be area agencies on aging directors, and the other four members shall be persons with personal and professional experience in issues specific to aging;

2. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, one of whom shall be an at-large nonlegislative citizen member and one of whom shall be a current member of the House of Delegates;

3. Two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one of whom shall be an at-large nonlegislative citizen member and one of whom shall be a current member of the Senate;

4. The Executive Director of the Virginia Center on Aging; and

5. Five members who shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members, including the Commissioner for Aging and Rehabilitative Services or the Deputy Director, if one has been appointed, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Commissioner of Social Services, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the President of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or their designees. All ex officio members of the Council shall have demonstrated, through their professional experience, subject matter expertise in at least one issue specifically related to aging. Members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth appointed at large without regard to political affiliation but with due consideration of geographical representation. Appointees shall be selected for their ability, and all appointments shall be of such nature as to aid the work of the Council and to inspire the highest degree of cooperation and confidence.

C. After the initial staggering of terms, all appointments shall be for four-year terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. No person having served on the Council for two full consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the Council for two years thereafter. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member’s eligibility to serve.

D. The Council shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and shall appoint other officers as it deems necessary and prescribe their duties and terms of office. The Council may adopt bylaws to govern its operations.

E. Members shall receive compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department.

F. The Commissioner shall appoint an executive director who shall serve as secretary to the Council but shall not be a member of the Council. The Department shall provide staff support to the Council.