Section 16-41-42.2-5 - Spinal cord and brain injury research board; composition; term; members; staffing; duties; annual financial statement(a) The spinal cord and brain injury research board is established for the purpose of administering the fund. The board is composed of eleven (11) members.(b) The following six (6) members of the board shall be appointed by the governor: (1) One (1) member who has a spinal cord or head injury or who has a family member with a spinal cord or head injury.(2) One (1) member who is a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 who has specialty training in neuroscience and surgery.(3) One (1) member who is a physiatrist holding a board certification from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.(4) One (1) member representing the technical life sciences industry.(5) One (1) member who is a physical therapist licensed under IC 25-27 who treats individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.(6) One (1) member who owns or operates a facility that provides long term activity based therapy services at affordable rates to individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.(c) Five (5) members of the board shall be appointed as follows: (1) One (1) member representing Indiana University to be appointed by Indiana University.(2) One (1) member representing Purdue University to be appointed by Purdue University.(3) One (1) member representing the National Spinal Cord Injury Association to be appointed by the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.(4) One (1) member representing the largest freestanding rehabilitation hospital for brain and spinal cord injuries in Indiana to be appointed by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana located in Indianapolis.(5) One (1) member representing the Brain Injury Association of America to be appointed by the Brain Injury Association of Indiana.(d) The term of a member is four (4) years. A member serves until a successor is appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs on the board before the end of a member's term, the appointing authority appointing the vacating member shall appoint an individual to serve the remainder of the vacating member's term.(e) A majority of the members appointed to the board constitutes a quorum. The affirmative votes of a majority of the members are required for the board to take action on any measure.(f) Each member of the board is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.(g) The board shall annually elect a chairperson who shall be the presiding officer of the board. The board may establish other officers and procedures as the board determines necessary.(h) The board shall meet at least two (2) times each year. The chairperson may call additional meetings.(i) The state department shall provide staff for the board. The state department shall maintain a registry of the members of the board. An appointing authority shall provide written confirmation of an appointment to the board to the state department in the form and manner specified by the state department.(j) The board shall do the following: (1) Consider policy matters relating to spinal cord and brain injury research projects and programs under this chapter.(2) Consider research applications and make grants for approved research projects under this chapter.(3) Consider applications and make grants to health care clinics that: (A) are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code;(B) employ physical therapists licensed under IC 25-27; and(C) provide in Indiana long term activity based therapy services at affordable rates to individuals with spinal cord injuries or brain injuries that require extended post acute care.(4) Consider the application's efficacy in providing significant and sustained improvement to individuals with spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.(5) Formulate policies and procedures concerning the operation of the board.(6) Review and authorize spinal cord and brain injury research projects and programs to be financed under this chapter. For purposes of this subdivision, the board may establish an independent scientific advisory panel composed of scientists and clinicians who are not members of the board to review proposals submitted to the board and make recommendations to the board. Collaborations are encouraged with other Indiana-based researchers as well as researchers located outside Indiana, including researchers in other countries.(7) Review and approve progress and final research reports on projects authorized under this chapter, including any other information the board has required to be submitted as a condition of receiving a grant.(8) Review and make recommendations concerning the expenditure of money from the fund.(9) Take other action necessary for the purpose stated in subsection (a).(10) Provide to the governor, the general assembly, and the legislative council an annual report not later than January 30 of each year showing the status of funds appropriated under this chapter. The report to the general assembly and the legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.(k) A member of the board is exempt from civil liability arising or thought to arise from an action taken in good faith as a member of the board.(l) The department shall annually present to the board a financial statement that includes the following information for the current and previous fiscal year: (1) The amount of money deposited into the fund.(2) The amount of money expended from the fund.(3) The amount of money, including any reserves, available for grants from the fund.Amended by P.L. 29-2016, SEC. 4, eff. 7/1/2016.Amended by P.L. 200-2015, SEC. 4, eff. 7/1/2015.As added by P.L. 3-2008, SEC.113.