ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 459	By:	Shumate of the Senate

			and

		Pittman of the House

[ hospice care - creating the Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care - noncodification - effective date - 		emergency ]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
There is hereby created, to continue until December 31, 2013, in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law, a Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care.
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  The membership of the Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care shall be as follows:
1.  The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, or a designee;
2.  The State Commissioner of Health, or a designee;
3.  The executive director of an association that advocates for hospice care issues in this state, or a designee;
4.  Two representatives from the hospice care industry, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively;
5.  Two representatives from the home healthcare industry, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively;
6.  Two Senators, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
7.  Two Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
B.  Appointments to the task force shall be made by August 1, 2013.  Members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.  A vacancy on the task force shall be filled by the original appointing authority.
C.  The task force shall meet monthly and at other such times as deemed necessary by members.  A majority of members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum to transact business and a majority present may act for the task force.
D.  Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary travel expenses as follows:
1.  Nonlegislative members who are state officers or employees shall be reimbursed by their respective agencies for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
2.  Members who are not legislators or officers or employees of the state shall be reimbursed by their appointing authorities in accordance with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
3.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
E.  The Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care shall examine disparities in regulatory standards between hospice care and similar industries in Oklahoma, and shall make specific recommendations to the Legislature to ensure adequate regulation, education, and training of hospice care employees.
F.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services shall provide staff assistance to the Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2013.
SECTION 4.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 12th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives