75-5664. Advisory committee on trauma; members; appointment; meetings; privileged information; expenses. (a) There is hereby established an advisory committee on trauma. The advisory committee on trauma shall be advisory to the secretary of health and environment and shall be within the division of public health of the department of health and environment as a part thereof.

(b) On July 1, 2001, the advisory committee on trauma in existence immediately prior to July 1, 2001, is hereby abolished and a new advisory committee on trauma is created in accordance with this section. The terms of all members of the advisory committee on trauma in existence prior to July 1, 2001, are hereby terminated. On and after July 1, 2001, the advisory committee on trauma shall be composed of 24 members representing both rural and urban areas of the state appointed as follows:

(1) Two members shall be persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery appointed by the governor. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of terms described in this section, for each member to be appointed under this section, the Kansas medical society shall submit to the governor a list of three names of persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the board under this paragraph.

(2) One member shall be licensed to practice osteopathic medicine appointed by the governor. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of the term of the member appointed under this section, the Kansas association of osteopathic medicine shall submit to the governor a list of three persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the board under this paragraph.

(3) Three members shall be representatives of hospitals appointed by the governor. At least 30 days before the expiration of terms described in this section, for each member to be appointed under this section, the Kansas hospital association shall submit to the governor a list of three names of persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the board under this paragraph.

(4) Two members shall be licensed professional nurses specializing in trauma care or emergency nursing appointed by the governor. At least 30 days before the expiration of terms described in this section, for each member to be appointed under this section, the Kansas state nurses association shall submit to the governor a list of three names of persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the board under this paragraph.

(5) Two members shall be attendants as defined in K.S.A. 65-6112, and amendments thereto, who are on the roster of an ambulance service permitted by the board of emergency medical services. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of one of these positions, the Kansas emergency medical services association shall submit to the governor a list of three persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making this appointment to the board. For the other member appointed under this section, at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the term of such member, the Kansas emergency medical technician association shall submit a list of three persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making appointments to the board under this paragraph.

(6) Two members shall be administrators of ambulance services, one rural and one urban, appointed by the governor. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of the terms of such members, the Kansas emergency medical services association and Kansas emergency medical technician association in consultation shall submit to the governor a list of four persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making this appointment to the board under this paragraph.

(7) Six members shall be representatives of regional trauma councils, one per council, appointed by the governor. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of one of these positions, the relevant regional trauma council shall submit to the governor a list of three persons of recognized ability and qualification. The governor shall consider such list of persons in making these appointments to the board.

(8) The secretary of health and environment or the secretary's designee of an appropriately qualified person shall be an ex officio representative of the department of health and environment.

(9) The chairperson of the board of emergency medical services or the chairperson's designee shall be an ex officio member.

(10) Four legislators selected as follows shall be members: The chairperson and ranking minority member or their designees of the committee on health and human services of the house of representatives, and the chairperson and ranking minority member or their designees from the committee on public health and welfare of the senate shall be members.

(c) All members shall be residents of the state of Kansas. Particular attention shall be given so that rural and urban interests and geography are balanced in representation. Organizations that submit lists of names to be considered for appointment by the governor under this section shall insure that names of people who reside in both rural and urban areas of the state are among those submitted. At least one person from each congressional district shall be among the members. Of the members appointed under subsection (b)(1) through (b)(7): Six shall be appointed to initial terms of two years; six shall be appointed to initial terms of three years; and six shall be appointed to initial terms of four years. Thereafter members shall serve terms of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. In the case of a vacancy in the membership of the advisory committee, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in like manner as that provided in subsection (b).

(d) The advisory committee shall meet quarterly and at the call of the chairperson or at the request of a majority of the members. At the first meeting of the advisory committee after July 1 each year, the members shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson who shall serve for terms of one year. The vice-chairperson shall exercise all of the powers of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.

(e) The advisory committee shall be advisory to the secretary of health and environment on all matters relating to the implementation and administration of this act.

(f) (1) Any meeting of the advisory committee or any part of a meeting of the advisory committee during which a review of incidents of trauma injury or trauma care takes place shall be conducted in closed session. The advisory committee and officers thereof when acting in their official capacity in considering incidents of trauma injury or trauma care shall constitute a peer review committee and peer review officers for all purposes of K.S.A. 65-4915, and amendments thereto.

(2) The advisory committee or an officer thereof may advise, report to and discuss activities, information and findings of the committee which relate to incidents of trauma injury or trauma care with the secretary of health and environment as provided in subsections (a) and (e) without waiver of the privilege provided by this subsection and K.S.A. 65-4915, and amendments thereto, and the records and findings of such committee or officer which are privileged under this subsection and K.S.A. 65-4915, and amendments thereto, shall remain privileged as provided by this subsection and K.S.A. 65-4915, and amendments thereto, prior to July 1, 2021.

(3) The provisions of this subsection shall expire on July 1, 2021, unless the legislature reviews and reenacts this provision prior to July 1, 2021.

(g) Members of the advisory committee attending meetings of the advisory committee or attending a subcommittee of the advisory committee or other authorized meeting of the advisory committee shall not be paid compensation but shall be paid amounts provided in K.S.A. 75-3223(e), and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1999, ch. 127, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 162, § 1; L. 2011, ch. 114, § 37; L. 2013, ch. 59, § 8; L. 2016, ch. 82, § 13; July 1.