Florida Senate - 2015                                     SB 734
       
       
        
       By Senator Flores
       
       
       
       
       
       37-01013-15                                            2015734__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the advisory council on brain and
    3         spinal cord injuries; amending s. 381.78, F.S.;
    4         requiring the council to appoint a seven-member
    5         committee on brain injury; providing for committee
    6         membership; specifying certain duties; requiring the
    7         committee to report to the council biannually;
    8         requiring the committee to report to the State Surgeon
    9         General annually; providing an effective date.
   10          
   11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   12  
   13         Section 1. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (4) of
   14  section 381.78, Florida Statutes, to read:
   15         381.78 Advisory council on brain and spinal cord injuries.—
   16         (4) The council shall:
   17         (c)1. Appoint a seven-member committee on brain injury. The
   18  committee shall be composed of:
   19         a. An individual who has a traumatic brain injury.
   20         b. A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who has a
   21  traumatic brain injury.
   22         c. A family caregiver or former family caregiver of an
   23  individual who has a traumatic brain injury and whose care is
   24  not state funded.
   25         d. A family caregiver or former family caregiver of an
   26  individual who has a traumatic brain injury and who is a
   27  recipient of Medicaid waiver services.
   28         e. A representative of a health care facility or
   29  rehabilitation center that serves individuals who have traumatic
   30  brain injuries.
   31         f. A health care practitioner who specializes in the
   32  treatment of individuals who have traumatic brain injuries.
   33         g. An individual who conducts traumatic brain injury
   34  research.
   35         2. Membership on the council is not a prerequisite for
   36  membership on this committee. Committee members shall serve 2
   37  year terms and may not be compensated or reimbursed for per diem
   38  or travel expenses.
   39         3. The committee shall:
   40         a. Research and analyze statistical trends with respect to
   41  the occurrence of traumatic brain injuries in this state.
   42         b. Assess the delivery and availability of services
   43  provided by the Department of Health and other state agencies
   44  for individuals who have traumatic brain injuries and their
   45  family members, as well as issues affecting the individuals’
   46  eligibility for those services throughout the continuum of care.
   47         c. Assess the delivery and availability of services
   48  provided by private businesses or entities, including home and
   49  community-based providers, for individuals with traumatic brain
   50  injuries, and education and support services to assist family
   51  members and caregivers throughout the continuum of care.
   52         d. Review and assess the role of the state in providing
   53  community-based treatment, long-term care, and family caregiver
   54  support, including the provision of respite care and education
   55  about the ongoing assessment and management of traumatic brain
   56  injuries for both individuals who have such injuries and their
   57  family members and caregivers.
   58         e. Determine the needs of individuals who have traumatic
   59  brain injuries and examine the efficacy of immediate,
   60  intermediate, rehabilitative, and community-based treatment, as
   61  well as where gaps in services exist.
   62         f. Determine strategies for providing coordinated care,
   63  services, and support to individuals who have traumatic brain
   64  injuries and their family members and caregivers, and strategies
   65  to address identified gaps in the provision of those services.
   66         g. Report to the council its findings and recommendations
   67  biannually at council meetings and issue a written report
   68  annually to the State Surgeon General.
   69         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.