Chapter 699 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

HB 2718

Relating to women veterans’ health care needs; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Task Force on Women Veterans’ Health Care, consisting of eight members appointed as follows:

          (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from among members of the Senate.

          (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member from among members of the House of Representatives.

          (c) The Director of Veterans’ Affairs shall appoint:

          (A) One woman veteran, preferably a woman veteran who has contingency operation experience.

          (B) One health care provider who has experience in providing health care to returning women veterans.

          (C) One mental health care provider or substance abuse treatment provider who has experience in providing mental health care or substance abuse treatment to returning women veterans.

          (D) One representative from an advocacy group that represents the interests of women, sexual assault victims or returning women veterans.

          (d) The Director of Human Services shall appoint one representative from the Department of Human Services.

          (e) The Adjutant General shall appoint one representative from the reintegration team within the Oregon Military Department.

          (2) The task force shall:

          (a) Study the health care needs of women veterans, including but not limited to:

          (A) Mental health;

          (B) In-patient treatment availability;

          (C) Appropriate women veterans’ health care within this state and the federal health care system; and

          (D) Identification and treatment of military sexual trauma; and

          (b) Identify other needs and establish recommendations to address those needs in women veterans’ health care.

          (3) The task force shall consult with federal, state, county and local entities, including but not limited to:

          (a) The Oregon Congressional Delegation;

          (b) The Veterans Benefits Administration;

          (c) The Veterans Health Administration;

          (d) The Association of Oregon Counties;

          (e) The Oregon Medical Association;

          (f) The Oregon Nurses Association;

          (g) An association of county veteran service officers;

          (h) League of Oregon Cities; and

          (i) Regional councils of government.

          (4) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

          (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

          (6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

          (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

          (8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force.

          (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

          (10) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor no later than October 1, 2010.

          (11) The Oregon Military Department, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Human Services shall provide staff support to the task force.

          (12) Notwithstanding ORS 171.072, members of the task force who are members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to mileage expenses or a per diem and serve as volunteers on the task force. Other members of the task force are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task force.

          (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2009 Act is repealed on the date of the convening of the next regular biennial legislative session.

SECTION 3. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor July 14, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 14, 2009

Effective date July 14, 2009

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