(a) There is created the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Task Force.
(b) The task force shall consist of thirteen (13) members as follows:
(1) Nine (9) members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(A) One (1) member who is a designee of the American Cancer Society;
(B) One (1) member who is a designee of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Arkansas, Inc.;
(C) One (1) member who is a designee of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(D) One (1) member who is a designee of the American Heart Association, Arkansas Affiliate, Inc.;
(E) One (1) member who is a designee of the Arkansas Hospital Association, Inc.;
(F) One (1) member who is a designee of the Arkansas Medical Society, Inc.;
(G) One (1) member who is a designee of the Arkansas Health Care Association;
(H) One (1) member who is a designee of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement; and
(I) One (1) member, who is appointed in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Health, who is a palliative care professional with expertise in the following knowledge areas that may include without limitation:
(i) Interdisciplinary palliative care;
(ii) Medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy, or spiritual services;
(iii) Psychosocial issues involved in caregiving for patient and family caregivers or their advocates; and
(iv) Palliative care perspectives and challenges across multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, and across pediatric, youth, adult, and geriatric populations;
(2) Two (2) members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
(A) One (1) member who is a board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physician, physician assistant, or nurse; and
(B) One (1) member, in consultation with the Arkansas Surgeon General, who is a palliative care professional with expertise in the following knowledge areas that may include without limitation:
(i) Interdisciplinary palliative care;
(ii) Medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy, or spiritual services;
(iii) Psychosocial issues involved in caregiving for patient and family caregivers or their advocates; and
(iv) Palliative care perspectives and challenges across multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, and across pediatric, youth, adult, and geriatric populations; and
(3) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
(A) One (1) member who is a board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or nurse; and
(B) One (1) member, in consultation with the Arkansas Surgeon General, who is a palliative care professional with expertise in the following knowledge areas that may include without limitation:
(i) Interdisciplinary palliative care;
(ii) Medical, nursing, social work, pharmacy, or spiritual services;
(iii) Psychosocial issues involved in caregiving for patient and family caregivers or their advocates; and
(iv) Palliative care perspectives and challenges across multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, and across pediatric, youth, adult, and geriatric populations.
(c) The members of the task force shall be appointed by September 1, 2017.
(d) In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the task force, a person shall be appointed by the appropriate individual and who meets the applicable eligibility requirements of the vacated position to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
(e)
(1) The task force shall select a chair and vice chair during the first meeting.
(2) The task force shall hold at least two (2) regular meetings in each calendar year at a time and place determined by the task force.
(f) Seven (7) members of the task force shall constitute a quorum to transact business.
(g) The members of the task force may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.
(h) The Department of Health shall provide staff, information, and other assistance as reasonably necessary to assist the task force in its efficient organization.
(i) The purpose of the task force is to consult with and advise the Department of Health on matters relating to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcome evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the state.
(j) The task force shall expire on December 31, 2021, unless extended by the General Assembly.