26:2T-8 Hepatitis C advisory board.

4. a. The commissioner shall establish a hepatitis C advisory board to provide advice and recommendations to the commissioner on, and to monitor, the implementation and operation of the program, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in meeting its objectives. The advisory board may also provide advice and recommendations to the commissioner on such other matters relating to hepatitis C as a majority of its members deem appropriate.

b. The commissioner shall appoint as members of the advisory board persons with a demonstrated expertise and interest in hepatitis C, including, but not limited to, health care professionals and persons with hepatitis C, and including representation among the various geographic regions and ethnic groups within the State. The advisory board shall include four physicians who include one internist, one hematologist and two hepatologists; one clinical researcher specializing in diseases of the liver; and two members who are not physicians or clinical researchers, at least one of whom is a veteran of the United States armed forces who has hepatitis C.

c. The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

d. The advisory board shall organize as soon as may be practicable after the appointment of its members and shall select a chairman from among its members and a secretary who need not be a member of the board.

L.2001,c.357,s.4.