Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §20 is enacted to read:

§20.__Health Care Workforce Leadership Council

The Health Care Workforce Leadership Council, referred to in this section as the "council," is established to provide input on all policy initiatives, laws and rules concerning the skilled health care workforce to the commissioner and to the Bureau of Medical Services, which shall provide to the council necessary staff support.__The "skilled health care workforce" consists of those health care workers, other than physicians, who require a postsecondary education to work in the health care industry.__The council's goal is to ensure an adequate supply of skilled health care workers to the State's health care industry, including hospitals, nursing facilities, physicians' offices and other outpatient service providers and home care service providers.

1.__Membership; appointments.__The council consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor as follows:

A.__Four members must be representatives of the State's health care industry;

B.__Three members must be from postsecondary educational institutions that offer training for skilled health care workers, and at least one of these must be from a private postsecondary educational institution;

C.__One member must be from a professional organization that represents skilled health care workers; and

D.__One member must be from a labor organization that represents skilled health care workers.

2.__Terms.__By August 1, 2002, the Governor shall appoint 3 members to initial one-year terms on the council, 3 members to initial 2-year terms and 3 members to initial 3-year terms.__ After the initial appointments all members serve terms of 3 years.

3.__Meetings.__By September 1, 2002, The Governor or the Governor's designee shall convene the first meeting of the council, at which the members shall elect a chair from among the members of the council.__The council shall meet at least once each month.