Section 1000.3 - Workmen's Compensation Advisory Council(a) There is hereby created an advisory council, to be known as the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. The council shall be comprised of eight members, with four members being employe representatives and four members being employer representatives. The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry shall be an ex officio member. The members of such council shall be appointed as follows: one employe representative and one employer representative by the President pro tempore of the Senate, one employe representative and one employer representative by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one employe representative and one employer representative by the Minority Leader of the Senate and one employe representative and one employer representative by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The members of the council shall select one of their number to be chairman.(b)(1) The council may hold hearings, receive testimony, solicit and receive comments from interested parties and the general public and shall have full access to information relating to the administration of this act by the Department of Labor and Industry. The council shall not have access to confidential medical information pertaining to individual claimants, but may develop statistical studies and surveys concerning aspects of incidence of injuries, claims management, litigation and adherence to the provisions of this act and the Occupational Disease Act.(2) The council shall review annually any requests for funding by the department and any assessments against employers or insurers related thereto and provide a report to the Governor, the secretary and the General Assembly regarding the appropriateness of such requests.(3) The council shall review proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to this act and provide comment at least quarterly to the Governor, the secretary and the General Assembly on the effects of such proposals.(4) The council shall provide to the Governor, the secretary and the General Assembly, on an annual basis, a report on the activities of the council, making recommendations concerning needed improvements in the workers' compensation system and the administration of the system. The report under this paragraph shall be made during the General Assembly's consideration of the General Appropriations Act for the succeeding fiscal year. The report shall be due no later than May 1.(5) The council shall make recommendations to the secretary regarding quality and cost-effective health care.(6) The council shall review the annual accessibility study required by section 306(f.1)(3)(iv) and shall make recommendations to the secretary regarding the need for new allowances for health care providers.(7) The council shall make recommendations to the secretary regarding the certification of coordinated care organizations and the approval of utilization review organizations and persons qualified to perform peer review.(8) The council shall consult with health care providers and professional associations representing health care providers with regard to its recommendations under paragraphs (5), (6) and (7).(c) The members of the advisory council, once appointed, shall serve a term of two years and until their successors have been appointed. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties. The secretary shall provide facilities and clerical and professional support as needed by the council in the performance of its duties. The compensation of such staff and the amounts allowed them and to members of the council for traveling and other council expenses shall be deemed part of the expenses incurred in connection with the administration of this act.1915, June 2, P.L. 736, § 447, added 1976, May 20, P.L. 135, No. 61, § 1, effective in 60 days. Amended 1993, July 2, P.L. 190, No. 44, § 18, effective in 60 days; 1996, June 24, P.L. 350, No. 57, § 21, effective in 60 days.