SECOND REGULAR SESSION
[TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED]
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 1274
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
2004
4600L.02T
AN ACT
To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to area health education centers.
Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.1015, to read as follows:
191.1015. 1. The "Missouri Area Health Education Centers" program is hereby established as a collaborative partnership of higher educational institutions and regional area health education centers and other entities that have entered into a written agreement with the program. These higher educational institutions and regional area health education centers shall be those that are recognized as program offices or regional centers by the federal area health education centers program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 294a. The program is designed to improve the supply, distribution, availability, and quality of health care personnel in Missouri communities and promote access to primary care for medically underserved communities and populations.
2. The Missouri area health education centers council is hereby established within the department of health and senior services. The council shall consist of twelve members that are residents of Missouri. The members of the council shall include:
(1) The director of the department of health and senior services or the director's designee;
(2) The commissioner of the department of higher education or the commissioner's designee;
(3) Two members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;
(4) Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(5) Six members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, four of whom shall represent the federally recognized regional area health education centers and two of whom shall represent the federally recognized higher educational institution program offices. Each representative of the regional area health education centers shall be a member of the governing or advisory board of a regional center and shall be nominated jointly by the chairs of the governing or advisory boards of all such centers. No two representatives shall be members of the same regional center governing or advisory board. Each representative of the federally recognized higher educational institution program offices shall be an employee or faculty of a medical school in which a program office resides and shall be nominated jointly by the deans of all such medical schools. The two program office representatives shall not be employees or faculty of the same medical school.
Members of the council shall be appointed by February 1, 2005. Of the members first appointed to the council, six shall serve a term of four years and six shall serve a term of two years, and thereafter, members shall serve a term of four years. Members shall continue to serve until their successor is duly appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
3. The council shall have discretionary authority to monitor and recommend policy direction for the Missouri area health education centers program, including policies to ensure that all applicable requirements of the federal area health education centers program are met.
4. The area health education centers program shall:
(1) Develop and enhance health careers recruitment programs for Missouri students, especially underrepresented and disadvantaged students;
(2) Enhance and support community-based training of health professions students and medical residents;
(3) Provide educational and other programs designed to support practicing health professionals; and
(4) Collaborate with health, education, and human services organizations to design, facilitate, and promote programs to improve access to health care and health status in Missouri.
5. The Missouri area health education centers council shall report annually to the governor and the general assembly on the status and progress of the Missouri area health education centers program.