Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-18.6.2-1 § 23-18.6.2-1. Advisory council

(a) There shall be a public education advisory council for organ and tissue donations consisting of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or his/her representative, the director of the department of revenue or his/her representative, the director of public health or his/her representative, the president of the hospital association of Rhode Island or his/her representative, a representative of the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Rhode Island, a representative from the Rhode Island organ donor awareness coalition, and four (4) persons experienced in the field of organ and tissue donations to be appointed by the governor, at least one of whom shall be a recipient of a donated organ or tissue, at least one of whom shall be a family member of a donor, and at least one of whom shall be a PhD or MD experienced in the field of organ and tissue donation.

The term of all appointive members shall be three (3) years and no such member shall be appointed to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. Upon the expiration of the term of any appointive member, a successor shall be appointed in like manner for a term of three (3) years.

(b) The council will annually designate the chairman from among its members. The council shall meet at least four (4) times each year, and shall convene special meetings at the call of the chairman. The council shall make an annual report to the governor, that shall include an account of all actions taken to further organ and tissue donation, and shall file a copy of the report with the secretary of state, the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives. Members of the council shall serve without compensation.

(c) The advisory council shall: (1) Assist in coordinating the efforts of all public and private agencies within the state concerned with organ and tissue donation public education; (2) Advise the state on comprehensive public education programs and efforts to increase organ and tissue donation registrations; (3) Develop strategies to increase organ and tissue donation registrations by any means which the council may find effective; and (4) Establish numerical goals for increasing organ and tissue registration rates in the state, which shall include a baseline account of current organ and tissue registration rates, as well as periodic benchmarks for success. The division of motor vehicles shall provide monthly donor designation rates for each motor vehicle branch to assist in identifying goals. The council's sole focus will be on public education to increase organ and tissue donation registrations.