2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:3601 — Allied health professionals supply

CHAPTER 58.  ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SUPPLY

AND DEMAND COMMISSION AND ARTICULATED CURRICULA

§3601.  Allied Health Professionals Supply and Demand Commission; creation; membership; vacancies; compensation; staff and facilities; powers and duties

A.(1)  There is hereby created in the Department of Health and Hospitals the Allied Health Professionals Supply and Demand Commission, hereafter referred to as the commission.  

(2)(a)  The following groups, organizations, and agencies shall appoint one member of the commission who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing group, organization, or agency:

(i)  The Board of Regents.  

(ii)  The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University.  

(iii)  The Board of Supervisors of Southern University.  

(iv)  The Louisiana Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities.  

(v)  The Louisiana Health Care Authority.  

(vi)  The Louisiana Hospital Association.  

(vii)  The Louisiana Medical Association.  

(viii)  The Louisiana Nursing Home Association.  

(ix)  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.  

(x)  The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.  

(xi)  The Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy.  

(xii)  The Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.  

(xiii)  The Louisiana State Medical Society.  

(xiv)  The Metropolitan Hospital Council of New Orleans.  

(xv)  The Office of Public Health.  

(xvi)  The Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.  

(xvii)  The Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.  

(xviii)  The Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  

(b)  Additional members of the commission may be added at any time upon unanimous agreement of the members named in this Subparagraph.  

(3)  Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by the group, organization, or agency whose appointee created the vacancy.  

(4)  Members shall serve without compensation.  

(5)  The commission shall adopt rules of procedure and shall elect its own chairperson who shall organize the commission and its work, appoint committees, call meetings, represent the commission, and do such other tasks as the commission directs or its rules require.  

B.  The commission shall:

(1)  Identify those allied health professionals where a shortage of providers exists and where that shortage has, or could have, a significant negative impact on the availability or quality of health care to the citizens of Louisiana.  

(2)  Study all aspects of the supply of and demand for those providers, particularly the following issues:

(a)  Training and licensing requirements for each level and type within the profession.  

(b)  The availability of training for each level and type within the profession, whether the training is provided in a public, quasi public, or private institution or agency.  

(c)  The nature and difficulties of articulation among the various training programs.  

(d)  The size of the potential student pool, particularly including the number of applicants who are not admitted to the program of their choice because of a lack of available space.  

(e)  The employment opportunities and the number of unfilled vacancies in the public and private sector.  

(f)  The nature and level of compensation in various employment fields and its relationship, if any, to the availability of these providers.  

(3)  Make every effort to identify the major professional groups and associations representing members of the studied professionals and obtain their advice and counsel to the fullest extent possible.  

(4)  Make every effort to identify the major schools and institutions, in addition to those represented on the commission, which train or educate members of the studied profession and:

(a)  Notify each of their obligation to comply with the provisions of this Chapter; and

(b) Obtain their advice and counsel to the fullest extent possible.  

(5)  Make annual reports to the Education and Health and Welfare Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives on all issues required in this Subsection to be studied, particularly including any changes in the nature of the supply and demand situation since the last report.  

(6)  Recommend action necessary to the resolution of any shortage to the group, agency, organization, or institution that has any power to effect the solution, particularly including the legislature.  

(7)  Work closely with the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the vocational institutes under its jurisdiction, institutions of higher education, and the appropriate boards of examiners to alleviate any shortage of opportunities to undertake training.  

C.  The commission may:

(1)  Request the assistance of any state agency or any state official in acquiring information or cooperation necessary to fulfilling its duties.  

(2)  Accept and expend any contributions, pecuniary or otherwise, which would assist in meeting the requirements of this Section.  

D.  The commission shall terminate on July 1, 1994.  

Acts 1992, No. 1047, §3.