§3356. Respiratory Care Advisory Committee; creation; duties

A.(1) The Respiratory Care Advisory Committee (committee) is hereby created and shall be composed of ten members appointed by the governor to assist the board in the administration of the provisions of this Chapter.

(2)(a) Six members of the committee shall be respiratory therapists licensed by the board to practice respiratory therapy in this state and selected from a list of names submitted by the Louisiana Society of Respiratory Therapy.

(b) Two members of the committee shall be physicians engaged in the practice of pulmonary or critical care medicine and selected from a list of names submitted by the Louisiana State Medical Society.

(c) One member of the committee shall be a hospital administrator selected from a list of names submitted by the Louisiana Hospital Association.

(d) One member of the committee shall be a citizen of Louisiana who is not employed in the delivery of health care.

B.(1) The nominating organizations shall submit their lists of nominees at the request of the governor.

(2) Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing governor. Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted for Senate confirmation.

C. A vacancy in an unexpired term shall be filled in the manner of original appointment.

D. A majority of the members of the committee shall elect a chairman.

E. The committee shall meet no less than quarterly at a time and place to be determined by the chairman of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business.

F. Each member shall receive a per diem of fifty dollars per day and be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in attendance at meetings and other official business on behalf of the committee or the board. Such compensation shall be paid from funds derived from fees as provided in R.S. 37:3359.

G. The committee shall:

(1) Advise the board on issues affecting applicants for licensure and regulation of respiratory therapy in the state.

(2) Provide advice and recommendations to the board regarding the modification, amendment, and supplementation of rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures for respiratory therapy licensure and practice.

(3) Serve as liaison between and among the board, licensed respiratory therapists, and professional organizations.

(4) Review and advise the board on issues affecting requests for temporary licenses.

(5) Conduct audits on applications to ensure satisfactory completion of continuing education and competency as specified by the board's rules.

(6) Perform such other functions and provide such additional advice and recommendations as may be requested by the board.

Acts 1985, No. 408, §1; Acts 1989, No. 211, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 2007, No. 142, §2.