GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

SESSION LAW 2006-197

HOUSE BILL 1860

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE justus-warren heart disease and stroke prevention task force TO ESTABLISH AND APPOINT A STROKE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 143B-216.60 is amended by adding the following new subdivision to read:

"§ 143B-216.60.  The Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force.

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(j)        The Task Force has the following duties:

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(10) Establish and maintain a Stroke Advisory Council, which shall advise the Task Force regarding the development of a statewide system of stroke care that shall include, among other items, a system for identifying and disseminating information about the location of primary stroke centers."

SECTION 2.  The Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force shall appoint the members of the Stroke Advisory Council as follows:

(1)       Four physicians, one upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Medical Society, one upon the recommendation of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians, one upon the recommendation of the Old North State Medical Society, and one who specializes in the treatment of strokes.

(2)       A hospital administrator recommended by the North Carolina Hospital Association.

(3)       A representative from the American Heart Association.

(4)       A representative from the North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services.

(5)       A representative from the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

(6)       Other relevant experts as the Task Force deems beneficial to achieve the goals of the Stroke Advisory Council.

SECTION 3.  Not later than February 15, 2007, the Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the findings and recommendations of the Stroke Advisory Council regarding the development of a statewide system of stroke care.

SECTION 4.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the members of the Stroke Advisory Council shall, for the 2006-2007 fiscal year only, serve without compensation and without reimbursement for travel, food, and lodging.

SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 20^th day of July, 2006.

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 2:02 p.m. this 3^rd day of August, 2006