FL H1173

Creates the Florida Minority Health Council as an advisory council adjunct to the Department of Health, with the State Surgeon General serving as chair.

Council membership includes 2 nonvoting ex officio state officials (State Surgeon General and director of Office of Planning and Budgeting), 3 voting state officials (Secretaries of Children and Families and Health Care Administration, Commissioner of Education), 6 Governor-appointed public members with minority health expertise, and 2 legislative appointees (1 from Senate President, 1 from House Speaker).

Governor's initial 6 appointees serve staggered terms (3 at 2 years, 3 at 4 years); subsequent appointments are for 4-year terms, with legislative appointees also serving 4-year terms.

Council shall meet at least quarterly, with members serving without compensation but eligible for per diem and travel expense reimbursement.

Council must gather and analyze health disparities data for minorities, consult on remediation programs, recommend policy changes and educational improvements, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by December 1 each year; effective July 1, 2019.