2-15-2217. Traumatic brain injury advisory council. (1) There is a traumatic brain injury advisory council attached to the department of public health and human services for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121.

(2) The council is composed of the following members:

(a) the director of the department of public health and human services or a designee;

(b) the superintendent of public instruction or a designee;

(c) a representative of a program that provides senior and long-term care services appointed by the director of the department of public health and human services;

(d) six members of the public, appointed by the governor, who represent:

(i) survivors of traumatic brain injury or family members of survivors of traumatic brain injury;

(ii) injury control or prevention programs; and

(iii) advocates for brain-injured persons.

(3) The public members of the advisory council shall serve 3-year terms. The initial appointments may specify a shorter length of the initial term in order to stagger the terms. Vacancies must be filled for the balance of an unexpired term. A member of the council may be reappointed.

(4) The advisory council shall meet quarterly, and the director of the department of public health and human services or a designee shall serve as presiding officer.

(5) The public members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed as provided in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503, subject to available funding.

(6) The advisory council shall:

(a) advise and make recommendations to the department of public health and human services and other state agencies on ways to improve and develop services regarding traumatic brain injury, including coordination of services between public and private entities;

(b) encourage citizen participation through the establishment of public hearings and other types of community outreach and prevention activities;

(c) encourage and stimulate research, public awareness, education, and prevention activities; and

(d) advise the department of public health and human services on the expenditures of the traumatic brain injury account established in 2-15-2218 and any grants made from that account.