265-c. Ethics committee. 1. There shall be an ethics committee which shall have thirteen members appointed by the governor, except for the commissioner who shall serve as an ex officio member. Six members shall be appointed directly by the governor; two shall be appointed on the nomination of the temporary president of the senate; two shall be appointed on the nomination of the speaker of the assembly; one shall be appointed on the nomination of the senate minority leader; and one shall be appointed on the nomination of the assembly minority leader. A member of the ethics committee shall also serve on the funding committee.
2. The ethics committee shall make recommendations to the funding committee regarding:
(a) scientific, medical, and ethical standards;
(b) standards for all medical, socioeconomic, and financial aspects of clinical trials and therapy delivery to patients, including, but not limited to standards for safe and ethical procedures for: obtaining materials and cells for research; clinical efforts for the appropriate treatment of human subjects in medical research; and ensuring compliance with patient privacy laws;
(c) oversight of funded research to ensure compliance with the standards described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision; and
(d) relevant ethical and regulatory issues.
3. With the exception of the ex officio member, the ethics committee shall be divided into three classes. Of the three classes, the first class appointed shall include three of the governor's appointees, one appointee nominated by the temporary president of the senate, and one appointee nominated by the speaker of the assembly; and shall serve for a term ending one year from the effective date of this title. The second class shall include two of the governor's appointees, one appointee nominated by the minority leader of the senate, and one appointee nominated by the minority leader of the assembly; and shall serve for a term ending two years from the effective date of this title. The third class shall include the final governor's appointee, one appointee nominated by the temporary president of the senate, and one appointee nominated by the speaker of the assembly; and shall serve for a term ending three years from the effective date of this title. Subsequently, each member appointed shall serve a term of three years and no more than two terms of three years each. A vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
Last modified: February 3, 2019