Section 8704A - Advisory council - authority and dutiesThe Advisory Council shall do all of the following:
(1) Research and complete a landscape analysis every 10 years of the veterinary needs and options present in Delaware, and develop recommendations to increase veterinary medicine in Delaware. The first analysis must be completed no later than [18 months after the date of enactment of this Act]. Subsequent analyses must also include a measurement of the impact of the Advisory Council and the Southern Regional Education Board Regional Contract Program for Veterinary Medicine or similar entity or program.(2) Develop and monitor a recruitment program for veterinary medicine education in conjunction with local colleges and universities to encourage veterinary medicine applications from Delaware residents.(3) Develop and maintain statewide communications, publicity, and marketing plans to promote awareness of the existence of the Advisory Council and veterinary opportunities for Delaware residents, including the Veterinary Medicine Regional Contract Program as managed by the Department of Education through a contract with the Southern Regional Education Board.(4) Monitor veterinary medicine schools serving Delaware residents for data regarding the number of Delaware residents graduating and initial placement after graduation.(5) Develop recruitment programs aimed at attracting pre-veterinary medicine students interested in practicing in Delaware.(6) Support, as appropriate, private sector provider recruitment efforts by consolidating information collection and dissemination efforts, such as statewide recruitment brochures.(7) Assist and advise the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture in developing a working relationship or affiliation agreement with out-of-state veterinary medicine schools to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, not the Advisory Council, may approve an agreement under this paragraph. The State, not the Advisory Council, must be a signatory to a document setting the terms of an agreement under this paragraph.(8) Adopt bylaws or rules to carry out its functions under this chapter.(9) Submit an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Finance Committee, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Research of Legislative Council not later than January 1. The report should include a summary of each action the Advisory Council took during the year of the report and recommendations the Advisory Council has identified to encourage graduates of veterinary medicine schools to return or come to practice in Delaware.Added by Laws 2023, ch. 445,s 5, eff. 9/26/2024.