Sec. 10. National Advisory Committee

542 words·~2 min read·/bill/116/s/1836/is/section-10

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

The Secretary shall establish a National Advisory Committee on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (referred to in this section as the National Advisory Committee ), in the Administration for Community Living. The voting members of the National Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary. The National Advisory Committee shall be composed of 21 voting members, of which— at least 11 members shall be individuals with significant disabilities affecting communication who use augmentative or alternative communication devices, services, or supports to express themselves; at least 6 members shall be family members of individuals who, collectively, have a variety of disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and autism; and the remaining members shall be professionals, researchers, or faculty members working in the field of augmentative and alternative communication devices, services, and supports.

Each of the following shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the National Advisory Committee: The Secretary of Education. The Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary of Labor. The Attorney General. The Chairperson of the National Council on Disability. The voting members of the Committee shall serve for terms of 3 years. The members of the Committee shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Committee.

At least 1 of the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be held by a person who uses augmentative or alternative communication devices, services, or supports. The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, but not less often than 4 times a year. Not later than 60 days after the date on which all members of the National Advisory Committee have been appointed, the Committee shall hold its first meeting. The National Advisory Committee shall— recommend an initial set of voluntary standards for provision of augmentative and alternative communication devices, services, and supports to individuals who need those devices, services, and supports; and not less often than once every 5 years thereafter, recommend updated standards described in paragraph (1); and annually— select a topic for a report related to augmentative and alternative communication devices, services, and supports; and prepare and submit such report to the President, the officials described in subsection (b)(2)(B), and the appropriate committees of Congress.

The members of the National Advisory Committee shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the National Advisory Committee, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the National Advisory Committee. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the National Advisory Committee.

Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the National Advisory Committee without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. The Secretary shall select 1 or more of the entities that receive a grant under section 5, to provide staff for the National Advisory Committee. Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the National Advisory Committee.