Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 an article numbered 20, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-73.18, 32.1-73.19, and 32.1-73.20, as follows:

§32.1-73.18. Renal Disease Council; purpose.

There is hereby created in the executive branch of state government the Renal Disease Council (the Council) for the purpose of (i) advising the Governor and the General Assembly on the needs of individuals with renal disease in the Commonwealth; (ii) identifying challenges that such individuals face and making recommendations for the improvement of the Commonwealth's kidney care system, particularly related to care coordination and prevention; (iii) funding research related to renal disease; (iv) funding supports for persons with renal disease in the Commonwealth; and (v) developing programs to educate medical professionals and the public about renal disease.

§32.1-73.19. Powers and duties of the Council.

The Council shall have the power and duty to:

1. Within the first year, hold public hearings and make inquiries of and solicit comments from the public to assist the Council in understanding the scope of the challenges related to renal disease in the Commonwealth and the impact of renal disease on individuals in the Commonwealth.

2. Conduct research and consult with experts to develop policy recommendations related to:

a. Improving access to health care and other services for individuals with renal disease, including access to health insurance, specialists, health care services, and other necessary services for individuals with renal disease;

b. The impact of health insurance coverage, cost-sharing, tiers, or other utilization management procedures on access to health care and other necessary services; and

c. The impact of providing coverage under the state program for medical assistance services for approved health care services and medications for renal disease.

3. Publish a list of existing publicly accessible resources on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education relating to renal disease on the Council's webpage.

4. Submit annually by October 1 a report to the Governor and the General Assembly for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports. The annual report shall (i) describe the activities and recommendations of the Council and (ii) describe the status of funding available to the Council, including information regarding any grants applied for and received by the Council.

5. Apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources to enable the Council to better carry out its objectives.

§32.1-73.20. Membership; terms; quorum; meetings; staffing.

A. The Council shall have a total membership of 21 members that shall consist of 18 nonlegislative citizen members and three ex officio members. The Governor shall appoint a chairman and vice-chairman who shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall not be employed by any federal or state government. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall include, in addition to the chairman and the vice-chairman, one representative from an academic research institution in the Commonwealth that receives any grant funding for renal disease research; one registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse licensed and currently practicing in the Commonwealth with experience in treating renal disease; two physicians with expertise in renal disease who are licensed and currently practicing medicine in the Commonwealth; one hospital administrator, or his designee, from a hospital in the Commonwealth that provides care to persons diagnosed with renal disease; one person who is a dialysis social worker; two persons who are 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with a renal disease; two caregivers of persons with renal disease; two representatives of renal disease patient organizations operating in the Commonwealth; one licensed pharmacist with experience with drugs used to treat renal disease; one representative from the biopharmaceutical industry; one representative from health plan companies; and one member from the scientific community who is engaged in renal disease research, which may include a medical researcher with experience conducting research on renal disease. The Commissioner of Health, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services, and the Director of the Department of Health Professions, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges.

Nonlegislative citizen members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years.

Ex officio members of the Council shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office.

Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

B. The Council shall meet quarterly and the chairman and vice-chairman shall establish a meeting schedule on an annual basis. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

C. Members of the Council shall serve without compensation or reimbursement.

D. The Department of Health shall provide staff support to the Council. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Council, upon request.

2. That the first meeting of the Renal Disease Council established pursuant to this act shall occur within 180 days after this act becomes effective.

3. That the initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members of the Renal Disease Council established pursuant to this act shall be staggered as follows: (i) two persons who are 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with renal disease, two caregivers of persons with renal disease, and two representatives of renal disease patient organizations operating in the Commonwealth shall be appointed for a term of one year; (ii) one licensed pharmacist with experience with drugs used to treat renal disease, one registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse licensed and currently practicing medicine in the Commonwealth with experience in treating renal disease, and the chairman and vice-chairman appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of two years; (iii) one hospital administrator, or his designee, from a hospital in the Commonwealth that provides care to persons diagnosed with renal disease, one representative from the biopharmaceutical industry, and one representative from health plan companies shall be appointed for a term of three years; and (iv) one representative from an academic research institution in the Commonwealth that receives any grant funding for renal disease research, two physicians with expertise in renal disease who are licensed and currently practicing medicine in the Commonwealth, one person who is a dialysis social worker, and one member from the scientific community who is engaged in renal disease research shall be appointed for a term of four years.