26B-1-418.  Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund and Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund Advisory Committee — Creation — Membership — Terms — Duties.

(1)  There is created a Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund and Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund Advisory Committee.

Terms Used In Utah Code 26B-1-418

  • Committee membership: Legislators are assigned to specific committees by their party. Seniority, regional balance, and political philosophy are the most prominent factors in the committee assignment process.
  • Executive director: means the executive director of the department appointed under Section 26B-1-203. See Utah Code 26B-1-102
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
(2)  The advisory committee shall be composed of 11 members as follows:

(a)  the executive director, or the executive director’s designee;

(b)  two survivors, or family members of a survivor, of a brain injury appointed by the governor;

(c)  two survivors, or family members of a survivor, of a spinal cord injury appointed by the governor;

(d)  one brain injury or spinal cord injury professional appointed by the governor who, at the time of appointment and throughout the professional’s term on the committee, does not receive a financial benefit from the fund;

(e)  two parents of a child with a non-progressive neurological condition appointed by the governor;

(f) 

(i)  a physical therapist licensed under Title 58, Chapter 24b, Physical Therapy Practice Act, with experience treating brain and spinal cord injuries, appointed by the governor; or

(ii)  an occupational therapist licensed under Title 58, Chapter 42a, Occupational Therapy Practice Act, with experience treating brain and spinal cord injuries, appointed by the governor;

(g)  a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(h)  a member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.

(3) 

(a)  The term of advisory committee members shall be four years. If a vacancy occurs in the committee membership for any reason, a replacement shall be appointed for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(b)  The committee shall elect a chairperson from the membership.

(c)  A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum at any meeting, and, if a quorum is present at an open meeting, the action of the majority of members shall be the action of the advisory committee.

(d)  The terms of the advisory committee shall be staggered so that members appointed under Subsections (2)(b), (d), and (f) shall serve an initial two-year term and members appointed under Subsections (2)(c), (e), and (g) shall serve four-year terms. Thereafter, members appointed to the advisory committee shall serve four-year terms.

(4)  The advisory committee shall comply with the procedures and requirements of:

(a)  Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act;

(b)  Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act; and

(c)  Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

(5) 

(a)  A member who is not a legislator may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service, but, at the executive director’s discretion, may receive per diem and travel expenses as allowed in:

(i)  Section 63A-3-106;

(ii)  Section 63A-3-107; and

(iii)  rules adopted by the Division of Finance according to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(b)  Compensation and expenses of a member who is a legislator are governed by Section 36-2-2 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Legislative Compensation and Expenses.

(6)  The advisory committee shall:

(a)  adopt rules and procedures in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that establish priorities and criteria for the advisory committee to follow in recommending distribution of money from the Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 26B-1-319 and the Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 26B-1-320 to assist qualified IRC 501(c)(3) charitable clinics, as defined in Sections 26B-1-319 and 26B-1-320;

(b)  identify, evaluate, and review the quality of care available to:

(i)  individuals with spinal cord and brain injuries through qualified IRC 501(c)(3) charitable clinics, as defined in Section 26B-1-319; or

(ii)  children with non-progressive neurological conditions through qualified IRC 501(c)(3) charitable clinics, as defined in Section 26B-1-320; and

(c)  explore, evaluate, and review other possible funding sources and make a recommendation to the Legislature regarding sources that would provide adequate funding for the advisory committee to accomplish its responsibilities under this section.

(7)  Operating expenses for the advisory committee, including the committee’s staff, shall be paid for only with money from:

(a)  the Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 26B-1-319;

(b)  the Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 26B-1-320; or

(c)  both funds.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 305, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 335, 2023 General Session