(a) On or before November first of the year preceding the commencement of the next regular session of the General Assembly, the Commissioner of Public Health shall, within available appropriations allocated to the department, establish and appoint members to a scope of practice review committee for each timely scope of practice request submitted to the department pursuant to section 19a-16d. Committees established pursuant to this section shall consist of the following members: (1) Two members recommended by the requestor to represent the health care profession making the scope of practice request; (2) two members recommended by each person or entity that has submitted a written impact statement pursuant to subsection (d) of section 19a-16d to represent the health care professions directly impacted by the scope of practice request; and (3) the Commissioner of Public Health or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the committee. The Commissioner of Public Health or the commissioner's designee shall serve as the chairperson of any such committee. The Commissioner of Public Health may appoint additional members to any committee established pursuant to this section to include representatives from health care professions having a proximate relationship to the underlying request if the commissioner or the commissioner's designee determines that such expansion would be beneficial to a resolution of the issues presented. Any member of such committee shall serve without compensation.

(b) Any committee established pursuant to this section shall review and evaluate the scope of practice request, subsequent written responses to the request and any other information the committee deems relevant to the scope of practice request. Such review and evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, an assessment of any public health and safety risks that may be associated with the request, whether the request may enhance access to quality and affordable health care and whether the request enhances the ability of the profession to practice to the full extent of the profession's education and training. The committee, when carrying out the duties prescribed in this section, may seek input on the scope of practice request from the Department of Public Health and such other entities as the committee determines necessary in order to provide its written findings as described in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The committee, upon concluding its review and evaluation of the scope of practice request, shall provide its findings to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health. The committee shall provide the written findings to said joint standing committee not later than the February first following the date of the committee's establishment. The committee shall include with its written findings all materials that were presented to the committee for review and consideration during the review process. The committee shall terminate on the date that it submits its written findings to said joint standing committee.

(P.A. 11-209, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 11-209 effective July 1, 2011.