75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3198
 
                         Senate Bill 725
 
Sponsored by Senator JOHNSON, Representative GELSER
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Creates Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care. Directs task
force to study health care needs of women veterans.
  Sunsets task force on date of convening of next regular
biennial legislative session.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
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 five 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 one
representative from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
  (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. + }
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