(a) The council is within the department.
(b) The council consists of seven part-time members, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:
(1) three representatives of the public; and
(2) four members each of whom meets the requirements for a license as a sex offender treatment provider under this chapter.
(c) Appointments to the council shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.