(1) There is created the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program Advisory Committee consisting of the following 13 members appointed by the executive director, eight of whom shall be residents of rural communities: (a) one rural representative of Utah Hospitals and Health Systems, nominated by the association; (b) two rural representatives of the Utah Medical Association, nominated by the association; (c) one representative of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants, nominated by the association; (d) one representative of the Association for Utah Community Health, nominated by the association; (e) one representative of the Utah Dental Association, nominated by the association; (f) one representative of mental health therapists, selected from nominees submitted by mental health therapist professional associations; (g) one representative of the Association of Local Health Officers, nominated by the association; (h) one representative of a low-income advocacy group, nominated by a Utah health and human services coalition that represents underserved populations; (i) one nursing program faculty member, nominated by the Statewide Deans and Directors Committee; (j) one administrator of a long-term care facility, nominated by the Utah Health Care Association; (k) one nursing administrator, nominated by the Utah Nurses Association; and (l) one geriatric professional who is: (i) determined by the department to have adequate advanced training in geriatrics to prepare the person to provide specialized geriatric care within the scope of the person's profession; and (ii) nominated by a professional association for the profession of which the person is a member.

(a) one rural representative of Utah Hospitals and Health Systems, nominated by the association;

(b) two rural representatives of the Utah Medical Association, nominated by the association;

(c) one representative of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants, nominated by the association;

(d) one representative of the Association for Utah Community Health, nominated by the association;

(e) one representative of the Utah Dental Association, nominated by the association;

(f) one representative of mental health therapists, selected from nominees submitted by mental health therapist professional associations;

(g) one representative of the Association of Local Health Officers, nominated by the association;

(h) one representative of a low-income advocacy group, nominated by a Utah health and human services coalition that represents underserved populations;

(i) one nursing program faculty member, nominated by the Statewide Deans and Directors Committee;

(j) one administrator of a long-term care facility, nominated by the Utah Health Care Association;

(k) one nursing administrator, nominated by the Utah Nurses Association; and

(l) one geriatric professional who is: (i) determined by the department to have adequate advanced training in geriatrics to prepare the person to provide specialized geriatric care within the scope of the person's profession; and (ii) nominated by a professional association for the profession of which the person is a member.

(i) determined by the department to have adequate advanced training in geriatrics to prepare the person to provide specialized geriatric care within the scope of the person's profession; and

(ii) nominated by a professional association for the profession of which the person is a member.

(2) An appointment to the committee shall be for a four-year term unless the member is appointed to complete an unexpired term. The executive director may also adjust the length of term at the time of appointment or reappointment so that approximately 1/2 the committee is appointed every two years. The executive director shall annually appoint a committee chair from among the members of the committee.

(3) The committee shall meet at the call of the chair, at least three members of the committee, or the executive director, but no less frequently than once each calendar year.

(4) A majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum. The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes the action of the committee.

(5) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: (a) Section 63A-3-106; (b) Section 63A-3-107; and (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(a) Section 63A-3-106;

(b) Section 63A-3-107; and

(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(6) The committee shall: (a) make recommendations to the department for the development and modification of rules to administer the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program; and (b) advise the department on the development of a needs assessment tool for identifying underserved areas.

(a) make recommendations to the department for the development and modification of rules to administer the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program; and

(b) advise the department on the development of a needs assessment tool for identifying underserved areas.

(7) As funding permits, the department shall provide staff and other administrative support to the committee.