37-B §533. Responsibilities of the commission
Title 37-B: DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HEADING: PL 1997, C. 455, §9 (RPR)
Chapter 8-A: COMMISSION TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND HEALTH OF MEMBERS OF THE MAINE NATIONAL GUARD
§533. Responsibilities of the commission
1. Responsibilities. The commission, with assistance from the department and the center for disease control, shall:
A. Review all the preventive health care treatment practices and protocols, including, but not limited to, physical and emotional screenings, vaccinations, electrocardiograms and physical examinations as they apply to members of the Maine National Guard in different age groups; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
B. Review the vaccinations and other medications currently provided to members of the Maine National Guard, particularly those that produce allergic reactions and dangerous side effects, and compare the vaccinations and medications with those recommended by the National Institutes of Health, the United States Food and Drug Administration and other sources of standards of medical care; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
C. Propose recommendations and seek approval from the Armed Forces of the United States for safer health care practices and protocols to be administered to members of the Maine National Guard; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
D. Propose and seek approval from the Armed Forces of the United States for the Maine National Guard to retain a copy of the medical records of each member of the Maine National Guard who is sent to active duty; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
E. Provide for the education of members of the Maine National Guard and other military personnel, especially medical staff, with respect to safer and more effective health care practices and protocols; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
F. Assist the families of Maine National Guard members who died in military service from noncombat causes, including suicide, to obtain accurate and timely information in regard to the deaths of the Maine National Guard members; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
G. Provide for the cooperation and coordination of assistance between the Maine National Guard and the center for disease control with respect to this chapter; [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
H. Work with the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services to track the care of the physically and psychologically wounded Maine National Guard and Armed Forces service members from Maine within the health care systems of the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and serve as an advocate to ensure a high quality of care; and [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
I. Assist the Maine National Guard in ensuring appropriate demobilization procedures and follow-up for Maine National Guard members related to mental health issues, including, but not limited to, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
[ 2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW) .]
2. Commission reports and recommendations. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any necessary legislation, to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over legal and veterans affairs and health and human services matters.
A. The commission shall prepare a preliminary report for the Governor and Legislature regarding its efforts under this section by April 1, 2008. [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
B. The commission shall issue a complete report regarding its efforts under this section by December 15, 2008 and annually by December 15th thereafter. [2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).]
[ 2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
2007, c. 318, §3 (NEW).