(a) To advise the appropriate major program unit of the Department of Public Welfare. This advice shall include, but shall not be limited to, such matters as standards of eligibility, nature and extent of service, amounts of payments to individuals, standards of approval, certification and licensure of institutions and agencies, ways and means of coordinating public and private welfare activities, and such other matters as may, by law, require citizen review or may be referred to the committees by the departmental units advised by them; and the Advisory Committee for Mental Health and Mental Retardation shall also have the power and duty to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Public Welfare with regard to the appointment of the Commissioner of Mental Health.

(b) To arrange for and conduct such public hearings as may be required by law or which they deem necessary and advisable,

(c) To promote better public understanding of the programs and objectives of the departmental units advised by them, and

(d) To make recommendations to the State Board of Public Welfare on matters referred to the committees for consideration and advice, or as may be required to promote the effectiveness of the programs, of the departmental units advised by them.