A.__Members of the boards of visitors serve for terms of one year except that, of the initial appointments, 2 must be for terms of 3 years, 2 must be for terms of 2 years and one must be for a term of one year.

B.__Members of the boards of visitors are eligible for reappointment at the expiration of their terms.__The boards of visitors must be representative of a broad range of professionals, family members and citizens interested in the well-being of prisoners, including representatives of advocacy groups for human and civil rights, medical and psychiatric professionals, persons who have served in corrections settings and other interested citizens.

C.__A member of the Legislature may not serve on a board of visitors.

D.__The sheriffs of 2 or more counties, at their discretion, may appoint a joint board of visitors of 5 or more members.

3.__Powers.__Each board of visitors shall inspect the correctional facility to which it is assigned, subject to reasonable restrictions required by the sheriff to ensure the security of the jail, and make recommendations to the sheriff with respect to inmates who are mentally ill.

PART B

Sec. B-1. 34-A MRSA §3069, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1991, c. 314, §57, is further amended to read:

1. Involuntary. When the chief administrative officer an inmate of a correctional or detention facility believes that any person in the facility is mentally ill, requires hospitalization and meets requirements for admission has been determined by a competent medical authority to require inpatient treatment for mental illness, the chief administrative officer of that facility shall make application in accordance with Title 34-B, section 3863.

A. Any person with respect to whom an application and certification under Title 34-B, section 3863 are made may be admitted to either state mental health institute.