One Click Case Law for § 31-6-20
O.C.G.A. § 31-6-2 <-- --> O.C.G.A. §31-6-21-1

2010 Georgia Code

TITLE 31 - HEALTH

CHAPTER 6 - STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
ARTICLE 2 - ORGANIZATION
§ 31-6-20 - Health Strategies Council generally

O.C.G.A. 31-6-20 (2010)
31-6-20. Health Strategies Council generally


(a) There is created a newly reconstituted Health Strategies Council to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Any appointment made when the Senate is not in session shall be effective until the appointment is acted upon by the Senate. The newly reconstituted Health Strategies Council shall be the successor to the Health Strategies Council as it existed on June 30, 2008. Those members of the previously existing Health Strategies Council who are serving as such on June 30, 2008, shall have their terms expire on June 30, 2008, at which time that council shall be abolished. On and after that date the council shall be composed of 13 members, except as otherwise provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section. One member shall be appointed from each congressional district. The council shall be composed as follows:

(1) One member representing the private insurance industry;

(2) One member representing hospitals in rural counties;

(3) One member representing hospitals in urban counties;

(4) One member who is a primary care physician in the active practice of medicine;

(5) One member who is a physician in a board certified specialty in the active practice of medicine;

(6) One member representing nursing homes;

(7) One member representing home health agencies;

(8) One member representing freestanding ambulatory surgical centers;

(9) One member representing health care needs of women;

(10) One member representing health care needs of the disabled and elderly;

(11) One member representing mental health care needs;

(12) One member representing health care needs of indigent persons; and

(13) One member representing health care needs of business personnel.

(b) If the state obtains one or more additional members of the United States House of Representatives as a result of reapportionment, the Governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Senate, from each new congressional district thus created one member representing local or county governments.

(c) The initial members of the newly reconstituted council shall take office July 1, 2008, and six of them shall be designated in such appointment to serve initial terms of office of two years and seven of them shall be designated in such appointment to serve initial terms of office of four years. If additional members are appointed to the council to represent a new congressional district as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, one half shall be designated to serve an initial term of office which expires when the above initial two-year terms of office expire and one half shall be designated to serve an initial term of office which expires when the above initial four-year terms of office expire. After the initial terms provided in this subsection, members of the council shall be appointed to serve for four-year terms of office. Members of the council shall serve out their terms of office and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.

(d) Members of the council shall be subject to removal:

(1) By the Governor after notice and opportunity for hearing for:

(A) Inability or neglect to perform the duties required of members;

(B) Incompetence; or

(C) Dishonest conduct; or

(2) For failure to attend at least 50 percent of the meetings of the council in any year; provided, however, that an absence caused by a medical condition or death of a family member shall constitute an excused absence and shall not provide grounds for removal.

Vacancies on the council shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

(e) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the council. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum.

(f) The members of the council attending meetings of such council, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by such council, shall receive no salary but shall be reimbursed for their expenses in attending meetings and for transportation costs as authorized by Code Section 45-7-21, which provides for the compensation and allowances of certain state officials.

(g) The function of the council shall be to serve as an advisory body to the department and to:

(1) Review, comment, and make recommendations to the board on components of the state health plan; and

(2) Review and comment on proposed rules for the administration of this chapter, except emergency rules, as requested by the department.

(h) The council at the department's request shall involve and coordinate functions with such state entities as necessary.