1. Members. The Substance Use Disorder Services Commission, as established by section 12004‑G, subsection 13‑C, consists of 19 members.
[PL 2025, c. 140, §1 (AMD).]
2. Qualifications. To be qualified to serve, members must have education, training, experience, knowledge, expertise and interest in substance use disorder in the areas of intervention, harm reduction, prevention, treatment and recovery. Members must reflect experiential diversity from across the State and must have demonstrated active participation in issues related to substance use disorder.
[PL 2025, c. 140, §2 (AMD).]
3. Members; representation. The commission consists of the following members:
A. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, and 2 members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of the 2 members of the House of Representatives, one must be a member of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and one must be a member of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters; [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
B. One physician or health care provider experienced in the treatment of substance use disorder, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
C. One representative from the field of education who has experience with school-based substance use disorder intervention, prevention and education programs, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2025, c. 140, §3 (AMD).]
D. [PL 2025, c. 140, §4 (RP).]
E. One representative from nominations by a statewide community-based recovery coalition, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
F. One representative from the criminal justice system who represents or is involved with the substance use disorder criminal justice system, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
G. One educator involved in postsecondary substance use disorder intervention, prevention, treatment and recovery education, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
H. One substance use disorder intervention practitioner, one substance use disorder harm reduction practitioner, one substance use disorder prevention practitioner, one substance use disorder treatment practitioner and one substance use disorder recovery practitioner, appointed by the Governor; [PL 2025, c. 140, §5 (AMD).]
I. One private sector employer familiar with employee assistance programs, appointed by the Governor; and [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
J. Four members of the public with experience in substance use disorder, appointed by the Governor. In appointing these 4 members, the Governor shall select members who are actively involved in the areas of:
(6) Co-occurring disorder services;
(7) Employment;
(8) Substance use disorder recovery; and
(9) Representation of federally recognized Indian nations, tribes or bands. [PL 2025, c. 140, §6 (AMD).]
[PL 2025, c. 140, §§3-6 (AMD).]
4. Term; vacancies. Terms of appointment begin and expire on June 1st. A vacancy in the commission does not affect the commission's powers, but must be filled in accordance with this subsection.
A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed may be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
A. The terms of the 4 public members appointed under subsection 3, paragraph J are for terms of 3 years, except that a member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of that term. Members hold office until the appointment and confirmation of their successors. A public member may not be appointed for more than 2 consecutive, 3-year terms. [PL 2025, c. 140, §7 (AMD).]
B. Members who are members of the Legislature and appointed by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. [PL 2019, c. 432, §1 (AMD).]
C. [PL 1993, c. 700, §2 (RP).]
[PL 2025, c. 140, §7 (AMD).]
5. Reappointment; termination. Members may be appointed for 2 consecutive terms only and may serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors have been appointed and qualified and have taken office. The appointing authority may terminate the appointment of a member for good and just cause and the appointing authority shall communicate the reason for the termination to the member terminated. The appointment of a member of the commission is terminated if a member is absent from 3 consecutive meetings without a good and just cause that is communicated to the chair of the commission.
[PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. LL, §12 (NEW).]
6. Officers; bylaws. The Governor shall designate one member to chair the commission. The commission may elect other officers from its members as it considers appropriate. The commission shall adopt bylaws for the operations of the commission.
[PL 2025, c. 140, §8 (AMD).]
7. Subcommittees. The commission may appoint from its membership subcommittees relating to particular problem areas or other matters, as long as the commission functions as an integrated committee as set forth in the bylaws.
[PL 2025, c. 140, §9 (AMD).]
8. Administrative and financial assistance. The department shall provide the commission administrative or financial assistance that is available from department resources.
[PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. AA, §43 (AMD).]
