§22-11D-7. Designation of trauma care regions; regional trauma advisory councils.

(a) The board shall designate, by rule, trauma care regions, so that all parts of the state are within such regions. The regional designations shall be made on the basis of efficiency of delivery of needed trauma care.

(b) The board may establish regional trauma advisory councils as needed. Regional trauma advisory councils shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the council on suggested regional modifications to the statewide trauma system that will improve patient care and accommodate specific regional needs. Each regional trauma advisory council shall provide data required by the department or the council to assess the effectiveness of the statewide trauma system.

(c) Each regional trauma advisory council shall have a minimum of 10 members. The membership of regional trauma advisory councils shall be appointed in the same manner as the council is appointed and shall be composed of representatives of the same groups. Additional members may be appointed pursuant to rules promulgated by the board. The chair of each regional trauma advisory council shall be elected by the members to serve for four years. The members shall represent the demographic composition of the region served, as far as practicable.

(d) Regional trauma advisory council members shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties at the same rate as state employees.

(e) All other governance requirements of the regional trauma advisory councils shall be established by rule of the board.

(f) The board may designate the trauma care regions as the regions for planning and coordination of emergency medical and hospital care for other illnesses. The trauma advisory councils shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations on coordination of systems of care by health care centers for other illnesses as may be determined necessary by the board.

(Act 2007-299, p. 541, §7; Act 2012-526, p. 1556, §1.)