(A) As used in this section, "relative" means a spouse, parent, parent-in-law, sibling, sibling-in-law, child, child-in-law, grandparent, aunt, or uncle.

(B) There is hereby created the Ohio cystic fibrosis legislative task force to study and make recommendations on issues pertaining to the care and treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis. The task force shall study and make recommendations on the following issues:

(1) Use of prescription drug and innovative therapies under the program for medically handicapped children established under section 3701.023 of the Revised Code and the program for adults with cystic fibrosis administered by the department of health under division (G) of that section;

(2) Screening of newborn children for the presence of genetic disorders, as required under section 3701.501 of the Revised Code;

(3) Any other issues the task force considers appropriate.

(C) The task force shall consist of the following members, each with the authority to vote on matters before the task force:

(1) Three members of the senate: two appointed by the president of the senate from the majority party and one appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(2) Three members of the house of representatives: two appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from the majority party and one appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(3) Three members, at least two of whom have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or are relatives of individuals who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, appointed by the president of the senate;

(4) Three members, at least two of whom have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or are relatives of individuals who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

Appointments to the task force shall be made within forty-five days after the commencement of the first regular session of each general assembly in the manner prescribed in this division.

(D) Members of the task force shall serve on the task force until the appointments are made in the first regular session of the following general assembly or, in the case of task force members who also are general assembly members when appointed, until they are no longer general assembly members.

(E) A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term.

(F) Members of the task force shall elect a chair . A vacancy of the chair position shall be filled by election.

(G) Members of the task force shall receive no compensation, except to the extent that serving as a member is part of the individual's regular duties of employment and except for the reimbursement of expenses that may be provided under division (H) of this section.

(H) The task force may solicit and accept grants from public and private sources. Grant funds may be used to reimburse members for expenses incurred in the performance of official task force duties and to pursue initiatives pertaining to the care and treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis.

(I) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the conduct of task force meetings.

Amended by 133rd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 166, §101.01, eff. 10/17/2019.

Effective Date: 05-18-2005.

Related Legislative Provision: See 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §4 .