(4)__One person who represents the long-term care ombudsman program established pursuant to section 5106, subsection 11-C.

C.__The Governor shall appoint 3 members as follows:

(1)__One person who represents the area agencies on aging;

(2)__One person who represents persons and families afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or dementia; and

(3)__One person who represents a statewide organization representing persons with disabilities.

3.__Terms.__The terms of appointment are for 4 years, except that 1/2 of the first-appointed members shall serve for 2 years.__ Members may serve 2 terms and may continue to serve at the expiration of a term until their successors are appointed.

4.__Meetings; staffing.__The committee may meet no more than 4 times per year.__The department shall provide staffing services as determined by the committee to be necessary.

5.__Compensation; voluntary service.__Legislators who are members are entitled to the legislative per diem and expenses.__ Other committee members serve on a voluntary basis and are not entitled to compensation.

6.__Report.__The committee shall report each year by January 15th to the joint standing committee of the Legislature__having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and may introduce a bill related to its report to the Legislature at that time.__The report must include recommendations of the committee, including legislation, and an evaluation of the status of the long-term care system in the State.

Sec. 5. 26 MRSA §1412-G, sub-§5, ķA, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 559, Pt. BB, §4, is amended to read:

A. The commissioner shall:

(1) Ensure the input of consumers of those services. The commissioner may seek input through one or more public hearings or by other means determined reasonable by the commissioner; and