Diabetes Advisory Council; creation; function; membership.

(1) To guide a statewide comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, education, care, treatment, impact, and costs thereof, there is created a Diabetes Advisory Council that serves as the advisory unit to the Department of Health, other governmental agencies, professional and other organizations, and the general public. The council shall:

(a) Provide statewide leadership to continuously improve the lives of Floridians with diabetes and reduce the burden of diabetes.

(b) Serve as a forum for the discussion and study of issues related to the public health approach for the delivery of health care services to persons with diabetes.

(c) In conjunction with the department, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Management Services, by January 10 of each odd-numbered year, submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report containing the following information:

1. The public health consequences and financial impact on the state of all types of diabetes and resulting health complications, including the number of persons with diabetes covered by Medicaid, the number of persons with diabetes who are insured by the Division of State Group Insurance, and the number of persons with diabetes who are impacted by state agency diabetes programs and activities.

2. A description and an assessment of the effectiveness of the diabetes programs and activities implemented by each state agency, the amount and source of funding for such programs and activities, and the cost savings realized as a result of the implementation of such programs and activities.

3. A description of the coordination among state agencies of their respective programs, activities, and communications designed to manage, treat, and prevent all types of diabetes.

4. The development of and revisions to a detailed action plan for reducing and controlling the number of new cases of diabetes and identification of proposed action steps to reduce the impact of all types of diabetes, identification of expected outcomes if the plan is implemented, and the establishment of benchmarks for preventing and controlling diabetes.

(d) By June 30 of each year, meet with the State Surgeon General or designee to make specific recommendations regarding the public health aspects of the prevention and control of diabetes.

(2) The members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor with advice from the State Surgeon General. Members shall serve 4-year terms or until their successors are appointed or qualified.

(3) The council shall be composed of 26 citizens of the state who have knowledge of, or work in, the area of diabetes mellitus as follows:

(a) Five interested citizens, three of whom are affected by diabetes.

(b) One member each from at least three of the medical schools in the state.

(c) Not more than 18 members and not more than one each from among the following areas: nursing with diabetes-educator certification; dietary with diabetes educator certification; podiatry; ophthalmology or optometry; psychology; pharmacy; adult endocrinology; pediatric endocrinology; the American Diabetes Association (ADA); the American Association of Diabetes Educators; the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; the Florida Academy of Family Physicians; a community health center; a county health department; an ADA-recognized community education program; an osteopathic medical school; the insurance industry; a Children’s Medical Services diabetes regional program; and an employer.

(d) One or more representatives from the Department of Health, who shall serve on the council as ex officio members.

(4)(a) The council shall annually elect from its members a chair and vice chair. The council shall meet at the chair’s discretion; however, at least three meetings shall be held each year.

(b) In conducting its meetings, the council shall use accepted rules of procedure. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum, and action by a majority of a quorum is necessary for the council to take any official action. The Department of Health shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of each meeting. The record shall show the names of the members present and the actions taken. The records shall be kept on file with the department, and these and other documents about matters within the jurisdiction of the council may be inspected by members of the council.

(5) Members of the council shall serve without remuneration but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061, to the extent resources are available.

(6) The department shall serve as an intermediary for the council if the council coordinates, applies for, or accepts any grants, funds, gifts, or services made available to it by any agency or department of the Federal Government, or any private agency or individual, for assistance in the operation of the council.