1. The “Missouri Brain Injury Advisory Council” is hereby established in the department of health and senior services. The members of the council shall serve a three-year term and until the member’s successor is appointed by the director of the department of health and senior services. The members appointed by the director shall include: four people with brain injuries or relatives of persons with brain injuries, and eleven other individuals from professional groups, health institutions, community groups, and private industry. In addition to the fifteen council members, individuals representing state agencies with services that impact brain injury survivors and their families shall participate on the council in an ex officio nonvoting capacity. These individuals shall be appointed by the respective agency.

2. The Missouri brain injury advisory council is assigned to the department of health and senior services. The department shall submit estimates of requirements for appropriations on behalf of the council for the necessary staff and expenses to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned by the council.

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3. Meetings of the full council shall be held at least four times a year or at the call of the council chairperson, who shall be elected by the council. Subcommittees may meet on an as-needed basis.

4. Members of the council shall not receive any compensation for their services, but they shall, subject to appropriations, be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from funds appropriated for this purpose.

5. The council shall adopt written procedures to govern its activities.

6. The council, under the direction of the department, shall make recommendations to the department director for developing and administering a state plan to provide services for brain-injured persons.

7. No member of the council may participate in or seek to influence a decision or vote of the council if the member would be directly involved with the matter or if the member would derive income from it. A violation of the prohibition contained herein shall be grounds for a person to be removed as a member of the council by the department director.

8. The council shall be advisory and shall:

(1) Promote meetings and programs for the discussion of reducing the debilitating effects of brain injuries and disseminate information in cooperation with any other department, agency or entity on the prevention, evaluation, care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons affected by brain injuries;

(2) Study and review current prevention, evaluation, care, treatment and rehabilitation technologies and recommend appropriate preparation, training, retraining and distribution of manpower and resources in the provision of services to brain-injured persons through private and public residential facilities, day programs and other specialized services;

(3) Recommend specific methods, means and procedures to improve and upgrade the state’s service delivery system for brain-injured citizens of this state;

(4) Participate in developing and disseminating criteria and standards which may be required for future funding or licensing of facilities, day programs and other specialized services for brain-injured persons in this state;

(5) Report annually to the department director on its activities, and on the results of its studies and the recommendations of the council.

9. The department may accept on behalf of the council federal funds, gifts and donations from individuals, private organizations and foundations, and any other funds that may become available.