1. Five members who are appointed by the Governor and who are the parent, spouse or guardian of a person who is afflicted with spinal or head injuries. 2. Four members who are appointed by the Governor and who are physicians who represent the professional community of spinal or head injury and spinal or head injury rehabilitation programs. 3. Four members who are appointed by the Governor and who are allied health professionals or administrators of spinal or head injury programs. 4. Three members who are appointed by the Governor and who represent the general public. 5. The director of the department of economic security or the director’s designee. 6. The director of the department of health services or the director’s designee.

B. Members appointed by the Governor serve staggered terms of three years. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of terms shall be filled in the same manner for the balance of the unexpired term.

C. Members of the council are not eligible to receive compensation, but appointed members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

D. Members serving pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 5 and 6 are nonvoting members and are not members for purposes of determining if a quorum is present.

E. Council members shall select a chairman, vice-chairman and secretary each calendar year.

F. The council shall convene in a formal meeting at the call of the chairman, but in no case less than four times each year. A quorum consists of at least seven voting members.

G. The department of economic security shall provide administrative and staff support services to the council.

H. For the purposes of this section:

1. “Head injury” means a partial or total disability that is caused by damage to the brain or its coverings, that is not degenerative in nature and that results in a decrease in mental, cognitive, behavioral or physical functioning. Head injury includes a trauma to the central nervous system that prevents a person from being completely self-sufficient. Head injury does not include vascular accidents, aneurysms and congenital defects. 2. “Spinal injury” means a severance or severe injury to the spinal cord caused by trauma which may result in partial or total paralysis of the arms or legs or both, and which may also impair vital functions.

A.R.S. §41-3202
Duties
A. The advisory council on spinal and head injuries shall:

1. Advise appropriate state agencies, the Governor and the legislature on matters and issues relating to spinal and head injuries and rehabilitation. 2. Review and make recommendations, plans and strategies for meeting the needs of persons with spinal or head injuries on a statewide basis. 3. In cooperation with all related organizations, conduct a comprehensive program of professional and public education to heighten awareness of the capabilities, potential and needs of persons with spinal or head injuries. 4. Serve as a repository of information on spinal and head injuries, referral procedures and demographics of the injury. 5. Monitor programs and services for persons with spinal or head injuries to encourage efficient and coordinated use of resources in providing services. 6. Develop plans for the expenditure of the spinal and head injuries trust fund in accordance with guidelines established in section 41-3203.

B. The council may submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on council recommendations regarding the problems of spinal and head injuries. The report shall include council recommendations regarding the problems of spinal and head injuries. These recommendations shall be represented by a majority vote of a quorum of members present in a formal meeting. Minority opinions may be submitted in writing to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate through the chairman of the council.

C. In developing its recommendations, the council shall encourage broad participation by organizations and individuals interested in spinal or head injuries and rehabilitation.

A.R.S. §41-3203
Spinal and Head Injuries Trust Fund; purpose

A. The spinal and head injuries trust fund is established. The trust fund shall be administered by the director of the department of economic security, subject to legislative appropriation. The spinal and head injuries trust fund shall consist of revenues derived from assessments imposed pursuant to section 12-116.02 and distributed pursuant to section 36-2219.01, subsection B, paragraph 3.

B. On notice from the department of economic security, the state treasurer shall invest and divest monies in the fund as provided by section 35-313, and monies earned from investment shall be credited to the trust fund. Monies in the fund do not revert to the state general fund.

C. Trust fund monies shall be spent on approval of the department of economic security’s rehabilitation services administration only if comparable resources are not available or are not able to be delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with guidelines for the following purposes:

1. Public information, prevention and education of the general public and professionals.
2. Rehabilitation, transitional living and equipment necessary for activities of daily living.
3. A portion of the disease surveillance system and statewide referral services for those with head and spinal injuries.
4. Costs incurred by the advisory council on spinal and head injuries established pursuant to section 41-3201.
5. Administrative costs incurred by the department of economic security to administer the provisions of this article.