§ 23-87-4. Establishment of the lupus study commission.
(a) The director of the department of health shall establish and coordinate a study commission
on lupus consisting of eleven (11) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the
director of the department of health. The first chairperson shall be a representative
of the Lupus Foundation of New England and shall serve for a two (2) year term. Subsequent
chairpersons shall be elected by the membership of the study commission from among
its members.
(b) The commission shall be composed of:
(1) Three (3) individuals with lupus;
(2) One scientist with experience in lupus and who participates in various fields of scientific
endeavor, including, but not limited to, biomedical research, social, translational,
behavioral or epidemiological research recommended by the medical and scientific council
of the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc;
(3) Two (2) physicians with experience in treating people with lupus and recommended by
the Rhode Island medical society;
(4) One nurse practitioner with experience in treating people with lupus and recommended
by the Rhode Island nurse practitioners' council;
(5) One local representative from the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. and one representative
from the Lupus Foundation of New England;
(6) One representative recommended by the department of health's minority health advisory
committee; and
(7) One representative recommended by the women's health council of Rhode Island.
(c) Members of the commission shall serve terms of two (2) years. A member may be appointed
to serve not more than two (2) terms, whether or not consecutive.
(d) The commission shall meet at the call of the chair and no less than on a quarterly
basis each year.
(e) Six (6) members of the study commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote
of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the study commission.