House Bill 5897
Sponsor: Rep. Paul DeWeese
Committee: Health Policy
Complete to 8-30-00
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5897 AS INTRODUCED 6-20-00
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to create the Governor's Commission on Patient Safety within the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. The 18-member commission would meet and appoint a chairperson within 30 days after the members were appointed by the governor. A commissioner would serve for one year, and vacancies would be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. After the initial meeting, the commission would meet at the call of the chairperson or at the request of eight commissioners. Eight members would constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
The commission would be charged with the systematic study of reports of medical errors committed in health facilities or in private practices. A written report would have to be issued within one year after the commission's appointment. The report would have to contain recommendations for improvements in medical practice and a system for reducing medical errors, both in health facilities and in private practices.
Commission meetings, as well as notices of meetings, would have to be held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. A writing owned, prepared, used, in the possession of, or retained by the commission in the performance of an official function would be available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
Members of the commission would be appointed from the following associations or their successor organizations:
Academy of Physician Assistants, and the directors of the Departments of Community Health and Consumer and Industry Services or their designees.
MCL333.20188
Analyst: S. Stutzky