Section 41-145-3 - Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council established; composition(1) The Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council is established at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for the purpose of advising the Legislature and other governmental agencies, departments, commissions and authorities on the needs of individuals living in Mississippi with a rare disease.(2) The board of directors created under Section 4 of this act shall appoint the following members of the council, which must reflect the diversity of the state population:(a) At least one (1) representative from academic research institutions in the state which receive grant funding for rare disease research;(b) At least one (1) geneticist licensed and practicing in the State of Mississippi who is a licensed medical doctor or has otherwise obtained a doctorate in a related field;(c) At least one (1) physician with experience treating rare diseases who are practicing in the state;(d) At least one (1) person having a rare disease who are eighteen (18) years of age or older;(e) At least one (1) caregiver of a person with a rare disease;(f) At least two (2) representatives of a rare disease patient organization that operates in this state;(g) A pharmacist with experience with drugs used to treat rare diseases;(h) A representative of the biotechnology industry; and(i) A representative of health plan companies.(3) The initial meeting of the council must occur before October 1, 2024. The council shall meet on a regular basis, as determined by the board of directors, in person or via an online meeting platform.(4)(a) Each member of the council shall serve a term of three (3) years. If a vacancy occurs on the council, the board of directors shall appoint, in a timely manner, a person to serve the remainder of the term of the vacated member.(b) Subject to the availability of funding, members of the council may receive per diem, as authorized under Section 25-3-69, and be reimbursed for traveling expenses and mileage, as provided under Section 25-3-41.Added by Laws, 2024, ch. 311, SB 2156,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024.