42 U.S.C. § 297t — National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice

The Advisory Council shall be composed of—

Not later than 90 days after November 13, 1998, the Secretary shall appoint the members of the Advisory Council and each such member shall serve a 4 year term. In making such appointments, the Secretary shall ensure a fair balance between the nursing professions, a broad geographic representation of members and a balance between urban and rural members. Members shall be appointed based on their competence, interest, and knowledge of the mission of the profession involved. A majority of the members shall be nurses.

In appointing the members of the Advisory Council under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure the adequate representation of minorities.

A vacancy on the Advisory Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall be subject to any conditions which applied with respect to the original appointment.

An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced.

provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary and Congress concerning policy matters arising in the administration of this subchapter, including the range of issues relating to the nurse workforce, education, and practice improvement;

provide advice to the Secretary and Congress in the preparation of general regulations and with respect to policy matters arising in the administration of this subchapter, including the range of issues relating to nurse supply, education and practice improvement; and

not later than 2 years after March 27, 2020, and annually thereafter, prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report describing the activities of the Council, including findings and recommendations made by the Council concerning the activities under this subchapter.

The Advisory Council shall meet not less than 2 times each year. Such meetings shall be held jointly with other related entities established under this subchapter where appropriate.

Not later than 14 days prior to the convening of a meeting under paragraph (1), the Advisory Council shall prepare and make available an agenda of the matters to be considered by the Advisory Council at such meeting. At any such meeting, the Advisory Council shall distribute materials with respect to the issues to be addressed at the meeting. Not later than 30 days after the adjourning of such a meeting, the Advisory Council shall prepare and make available a summary of the meeting and any actions taken by the Council based upon the meeting.

Each member of the Advisory Council shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Council. All members of the Council who are officers or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States.

The members of the Advisory Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Council.