The Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council, as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 47-I and referred to in this section as "the advisory council," is established to improve the quality and delivery of patient-centered and family-focused care in accordance with this section. [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] 1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Palliative care" means patient-centered and family-focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient's quality of life, including, but not limited to, addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care; providing access to information; discussing the patient's goals for treatment and treatment options, including, when appropriate, hospice care; and managing pain and symptoms comprehensively. Palliative care does not always include a requirement for hospice care or attention to spiritual needs. [PL 2017, c. 213, §1 (AMD).] B. "Serious illness" means a medical illness or physical injury or condition that substantially affects quality of life for more than a short period of time. "Serious illness" includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, lung disease, cancer, heart, renal or liver failure and chronic, unremitting or intractable pain such as neuropathic pain. [PL 2017, c. 213, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 213, §1 (AMD).] 2. Membership. The advisory council consists of the following members: A. Five persons with experience and expertise in palliative care in acute hospital care, long-term care, in-home care and hospice care with respect to pediatric, youth, adult and elderly populations as follows: (1) Two persons appointed by the Governor. One person must be a physician who is certified by a national board of hospice and palliative medicine. One person must be a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse who is certified by a national board for certification of hospice and palliative nurses; and (2) Three persons appointed by the executive director of the Maine Hospice Council, established in section 8611, who are health professionals with palliative care work experience or expertise in the delivery of palliative care; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] B. Two persons appointed by the President of the Senate. One person must be a licensed pharmacist with experience working with persons with serious illnesses. One person must represent hospitals in the State; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] C. Two persons appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. One person must be a licensed social worker with experience working with persons with serious illnesses and their family members. One person must represent health insurers; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] D. Two persons appointed by the member of the Senate who is the leader of the minority party in the Senate. Both persons must represent statewide organizations that advocate on behalf of persons with serious illnesses; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] E. Two persons appointed by the member of the House of Representatives who is the leader of the minority party in the House. One person must be a spiritual counselor with experience working with persons with serious illnesses and their family members. One person must represent persons 55 years of age and older; [PL 2023, c. 78, §1 (AMD).] F. The executive director of the Maine Hospice Council, established in section 8611, who serves as a nonvoting member; and [PL 2023, c. 78, §2 (AMD).] G. One person who is an individual receiving palliative care, or a primary caregiver of an individual receiving palliative care, appointed by the Governor. [PL 2023, c. 78, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 78, §§1-3 (AMD).] 3. Terms; vacancies; expense reimbursement. A person appointed to the advisory council serves a 3-year term, subject to termination by decision of the appointing authority. When a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a new member to serve for 3 years. As provided in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 47-I, members serve on a voluntary basis, are not eligible for payment for their service and may be reimbursed for necessary expenses. [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] 4. Conduct of business. At the first meeting of the advisory council and annually thereafter, the members shall elect from the membership a chair and a vice-chair and shall determine their duties. The chair and vice-chair shall call at least 2 meetings per year and other meetings as requested by a majority of the membership or as determined by the chair and vice-chair. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum. All meetings of the advisory council are public proceedings, are open to the public and must be held in locations that are convenient for public access and that are provided by the Maine Hospice Council, established in section 8611. As appropriate to the agenda for the meeting and in conformance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, all meetings must provide an opportunity for public comment. [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] 5. Duties. The advisory council shall: A. Consult with and advise the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation and evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the State; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] B. Analyze palliative care being provided in the State; [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] C. Make recommendations to improve palliative care and the quality of life of persons with serious illnesses; and [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] D. Submit a report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs, health and human services matters and insurance and financial services matters by January 1st each year providing the findings and recommendations of the advisory council. [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] 6. Funding. The advisory council may accept funding that is not public funding. [PL 2015, c. 203, §2 (NEW).] REVISOR'S NOTE: §1726. Cooperation with law enforcement (As enacted by PL 2015, c. 218, §2 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 22, SECTION 1727)
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