41-3201. Advisory council on spinal and head injuries; members; qualifications; appointment; terms; compensation; officers; meetings; staffing; definition

A. The advisory council on spinal and head injuries is established in the office of the governor consisting of the following members:

1. Five members who are appointed by the governor and who are the parent, spouse or guardian of a person who is afflicted with spinal or head injuries.

2. Four members who are appointed by the governor and who are physicians who represent the professional community of spinal or head injury and spinal or head injury rehabilitation programs.

3. Four members who are appointed by the governor and who are allied health professionals or administrators of spinal or head injury programs.

4. Three members who are appointed by the governor and who represent the general public.

5. The director of the department of economic security or the director's designee.

6. The director of the department of health services or the director's designee.

B. Members appointed by the governor serve staggered terms of three years. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of terms shall be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term.

C. Members of the council are not eligible to receive compensation, but appointed members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

D. Members serving pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 5 and 6 are nonvoting members and are not members for purposes of determining if a quorum is present.

E. Council members shall select a chairman, vice-chairman and secretary each calendar year.

F. The council shall convene in a formal meeting at the call of the chairman but in no case less than four times each year. A quorum consists of at least seven voting members.

G. The department of economic security shall provide administrative and staff support services to the council.

H. For the purposes of this section:

1. " Head injury" means a partial or total disability that is caused by damage to the brain or its coverings, that is not degenerative in nature and that results in a decrease in mental, cognitive, behavioral or physical functioning. Head injury includes a trauma to the central nervous system that prevents a person from being completely self-sufficient. Head injury does not include vascular accidents, aneurysms and congenital defects.

2. " Spinal injury" means a severance or severe injury to the spinal cord caused by trauma which may result in partial or total paralysis of the arms or legs or both and which may also impair vital functions.