The Florida Senate

765.5216  Organ and tissue donor education panel.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that there exists in the state a shortage of organ and tissue donors to provide the organs and tissue that could save lives or enhance the quality of life for many Floridians. The Legislature further recognizes the need to encourage the various minority populations of Florida to donate organs and tissue. It is the intent of the Legislature that the funds collected pursuant to ss. 320.08047 and 322.08(6)(b) be used for educational purposes aimed at increasing the number of organ and tissue donors, thus affording more Floridians who are awaiting organ or tissue transplants the opportunity for a full and productive life.

(2)  There is created within the Agency for Health Care Administration a statewide organ and tissue donor education panel, consisting of 12 members, to represent the interests of the public with regard to increasing the number of organ and tissue donors within the state. The panel and the Organ and Tissue Procurement and Transplantation Advisory Board established in s. 765.543 shall jointly develop, subject to the approval of the Agency for Health Care Administration, education initiatives pursuant to s. 765.5215, which the agency shall implement. The membership must be balanced with respect to gender, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics so that the appointees reflect the diversity of the population of this state. The panel members must include:

(a)  A representative from the Agency for Health Care Administration, who shall serve as chairperson of the panel.

(b)  A representative from a Florida licensed organ procurement organization.

(c)  A representative from a Florida licensed tissue bank.

(d)  A representative from a Florida licensed eye bank.

(e)  A representative from a Florida licensed hospital.

(f)  A representative from the Division of Driver Licenses of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, who possesses experience and knowledge in dealing with the public.

(g)  A representative from the family of an organ, tissue, or eye donor.

(h)  A representative who has been the recipient of a transplanted organ, tissue, or eye, or is a family member of a recipient.

(i)  A representative who is a minority person as defined in former s. 381.81

(j)  A representative from a professional association or public relations or advertising organization.

(k)  A representative from a community service club or organization.

(l)  A representative from the Department of Education.

(3)  All members of the panel shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health Care Administration to serve a term of 2 years, except that, initially, six members shall be appointed for 1-year terms and six members shall be appointed for 2-year terms.

(4)  Members of the panel shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses by the agency in accordance with the provisions of s. 112.061, while engaged in the performance of their duties.

(5)  The panel shall meet at least semiannually or upon the call of the chairperson or the Secretary of Health Care Administration.

History.--s. 12, ch. 95-423; s. 11, ch. 98-68; s. 66, ch. 99-248; s. 25, ch. 2000-305; s. 74, ch. 2001-226; s. 113, ch. 2002-1; s. 103, ch. 2003-1.

Note.--Former s. 732.9216.