The Florida Senate

468.354  Advisory Council on Respiratory Care; organization; function.--

(1)  There is created the Advisory Council on Respiratory Care under the supervision of the board.

(2)  The council shall consist of five members appointed by the board and shall include:

(a)  A respiratory therapist.

(b)  A respiratory care practitioner.

(c)  A respiratory care professional from each of the following areas:

1.  Respiratory care education.

2.  Respiratory care management and supervision.

3.  Cardiopulmonary diagnostics.

Each member of the council shall be a respiratory care professional who has been actively engaged in the delivery of respiratory care services in this state for at least 4 consecutive years prior to appointment.

(3)

(a)  Except as provided in paragraph (b), the term of office for each council member shall be 4 years. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Any time there is a vacancy to be filled on the council, all professional organizations dealing with respiratory therapy incorporated within the state as not for profit which register their interest with the board shall recommend at least twice as many persons to fill the vacancy to the council as the number of vacancies to be filled, and the board may appoint from the submitted list, in its discretion, any of those persons so recommended. The board shall, insofar as possible, appoint persons from different geographical areas.

(b)  In order to achieve staggering of terms, within 120 days after October 1, 1984, the board shall appoint the members of the council as follows:

1.  One member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.

2.  Two members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years.

3.  Two members shall be appointed for terms of 4 years.

(4)

(a)  The council shall annually elect from among its members a chair and vice chair.

(b)  The council shall meet at least twice a year and shall hold such additional meetings as are deemed necessary by the board. Three members of the council constitute a quorum.

(c)  Unless otherwise provided by law, a council member shall be compensated $50 for each day he or she attends an official meeting of the council and for each day he or she participates in any other business involving the council. A council member shall also be entitled to reimbursement for expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. Travel out of the state shall require the prior approval of the secretary of the department.

(5)

(a)  The council shall recommend to the department a code of ethics for those persons licensed pursuant to this part.

(b)  The council shall make recommendations to the department for the approval of continuing education courses.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 84-252; s. 3, ch. 86-60; s. 3, ch. 87-553; ss. 4, 5, ch. 91-429; s. 25, ch. 95-146; s. 292, ch. 97-103; s. 131, ch. 97-264.