1.    The department of health and human services shall establish a stroke system of care task force to address matters of triage, treatment, and transport of possible acute stroke patients. The stroke system of care task force must include representation from the department of health and human services, the emergency medical services advisory council, the university of North Dakota’s center for rural health, the American stroke association or similar entity, comprehensive stroke centers, primary stroke centers, rural hospitals, physicians, and emergency medical services operations.

2.    The task force shall implement the regulations necessary to establish an effective stroke system of care in the state, with a focus on serving rural areas. The regulations must include protocols for the assessment, stabilization, and appropriate routing of stroke patients by emergency medical services operations, and for coordination and communication between hospitals, comprehensive stroke centers, primary stroke centers, and other support services necessary to assure all residents have access to effective and efficient stroke care.

3.    The stroke system of care task force shall make recommendations to the department of health and human services. Upon receiving such recommendations, the department of health and human services may adopt rules implementing the recommendations.

4.    As used in this subsection, “telemedicine services” means the use of interactive audio, video, and other electronic media used for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment of acute stroke. The stroke system of care task force shall recommend eligible essential health care services for acute stroke care provided through telemedicine services.