HB 197

Under existing law, there is an advisory board that assists the State Health Officer in the establishment of rules, regulations, and standards necessary to carry out the provisions of law relating to hospitals and health care facilities

This bill would authorize the advisory board to meet by electronic means and require the advisory board to establish rules of procedure for its meetings

Relating to the advisory board that assists the State Health Officer on laws relating to hospitals and health care facilities; to amend Section 22-21-27, Code of Alabama 1975; to authorize the advisory board to meet by electronic means and require the advisory board to establish rules of procedure for its meetings.

Section 1

Section 22-21-27, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§22-21-27.

(a) There shall be an advisory board of 17 members to assist in the establishment of rules, regulations, and standards necessary to carry out the provisions of this article and to serve as consultants to the State Health Officer. The board shall meet at least twice each year and at the call of the State Health Officer. The board may meet by electronic means in compliance with the Open Meeting Act and shall establish rules of procedure for its meetings. The members of the board shall annually elect one of its members to serve as chair.

(b) The advisory board shall be constituted in the following manner:

(1) Four representatives of hospitals, who shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Hospital Association as follows:

a. One administrator of a governmental hospital.

b. One administrator of a nongovernmental nonprofit hospital.

c. One owner or administrator of a proprietary hospital.

d. One member of a managing board of a nonprofit hospital.

(2) Three representatives who shall be doctors of medicine appointed by the Board of Censors of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

(3) One representative who shall be a registered nurse appointed by the Executive Board of the Alabama State Nurses Association.

(4) One representative from the State Board of Human Resources who shall be appointed by the board.

(5) One registered pharmacist actively engaged in the practices of pharmacy in the State of Alabama, to be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Alabama Pharmacy Association.

(6) Three members who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Alabama Nursing Home Association, each of whom shall be the operator of a duly qualified licensed nursing home.

(7) One member who shall be appointed by the Alabama Hospice Association.

(8) Two members who shall be appointed by the Assisted Living Association of Alabama, one of whom shall be the operator of a licensed assisted living facility or licensed specialty care assisted living facility rising to the level of intermediate care with 16 or fewer beds, and one of whom shall be the operator of an assisted living facility or licensed specialty care assisted living facility rising to the level of intermediate care with more than 16 beds.

(9) One member who shall be appointed by the Governor to represent the interests of consumers. The consumer representative shall be at least 65 years of age and shall have no financial interest in any facility licensed under this article.

(c) Each new appointee shall serve for five years or until his or her successor is appointed, whichever is later. Any vacancy caused by a member leaving the position before the expiration of his or her term shall be filled by the organization selecting the original member. The replacement member appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c) (d) A member of the advisory board shall not be eligible to succeed himself or herself after serving one full five-year term, but shall be eligible for reappointment if he or she has served only a portion of a five-year term or if he or she has not served immediately preceding the reappointment.

(d) (e) Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the office at the same rate allowed state employees pursuant to general law."

Section 2

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.