68-35-102 - Renal disease advisory committee.
68-35-102. Renal disease advisory committee.
(a) The commissioner of health shall appoint a renal disease advisory committee to consult with the department in the administration of this chapter. The committee shall be composed of eleven (11) persons representing hospitals and medical schools that establish dialysis centers, voluntary agencies interested in kidney diseases, local public health agencies, physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, and the general public. Each member shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and until such member's successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the members first taking office shall expire, as designated at the time of appointment, two (2) at the end of the first year, three (3) at the end of the second year, three (3) at the end of the third year, and three (3) at the end of the fourth year, after the date of appointment. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which such person's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.
(b) In making appointments to the committee, the commissioner shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person appointed to serve on the committee is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) person appointed to serve on the committee is a member of a racial minority. The committee shall meet as frequently as the commissioner deems necessary, but not less than once each year. The committee members shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in carrying out their duties as members of this committee. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
[Acts 1971, ch. 80, § 2; 1976, ch. 806, § 1(92); T.C.A., § 53-4702; Acts 1988, ch. 1013, § 69.]