The Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska is created within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska shall strive to improve the health of women in Nebraska by fostering the development of a comprehensive system of coordinated services, policy development, advocacy, and education. The initiative shall:

(1) Serve as a clearinghouse for information regarding women's health issues, including pregnancy, breast and cervical cancers, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, osteoporosis, menopause, heart disease, smoking, and mental health issues as well as other issues that impact women's health, including substance abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, adequacy of health insurance, access to primary and preventative health care, and rural and ethnic disparities in health outcomes;

(2) Perform strategic planning within the Department of Health and Human Services to develop department-wide plans for implementation of goals and objectives for women's health;

(3) Conduct department-wide policy analysis on specific issues related to women's health;

(4) Coordinate pilot projects and planning projects funded by the state that are related to women's health;

(5) Communicate and disseminate information and perform a liaison function within the department and to providers of health, social, educational, and support services to women;

(6) Provide technical assistance to communities, other public entities, and private entities for initiatives in women's health, including, but not limited to, community health assessment and strategic planning and identification of sources of funding and assistance with writing of grants; and

(7) Encourage innovative responses by public and private entities that are attempting to address women's health issues.

(1) The Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council is created. The advisory council terminates on July 1, 2026. Prior to July 1, 2026, the advisory council shall consist of not more than thirty members, at least three-fourths of whom are women. At least one member shall be appointed from the following disciplines: (a) An obstetrician/gynecologist; (b) a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant from a rural community; (c) a geriatrics physician or nurse; (d) a pediatrician; (e) a community public health representative from each congressional district; (f) a health educator; (g) an insurance industry representative; (h) a mental health professional; (i) a representative from a statewide health volunteer agency; (j) a private health care industry representative; (k) an epidemiologist or a health statistician; (l) a foundation representative; and (m) a woman who is a health care consumer from each of the following age categories: Eighteen to thirty; thirty-one to forty; forty-one to sixty-five; and sixty-six and older. The membership shall also include a representative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a representative from Creighton University Medical Center, the chief medical officer if one is appointed under section 81-3115, and the Title V Administrator of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(2) The Governor shall appoint advisory council members and shall consider and attempt to balance representation based on political party affiliation, race, and different geographical areas of Nebraska when making appointments. The Governor shall appoint the first chairperson and vice-chairperson of the advisory council. There shall be two ex officio, nonvoting members from the Legislature, one of which shall be the chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee.

(3) The terms of the initial members shall be as follows: One-third shall serve for one-year terms, one-third shall serve for two-year terms, and one-third shall serve for three-year terms including the members designated chairperson and vice-chairperson. Thereafter members shall serve for three-year terms. Members may not serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.

(4) The Governor shall make the appointments within three months after July 13, 2000.

(5) The advisory council shall meet quarterly the first two years. After this time the advisory council shall meet at least every six months or upon the call of the chairperson or a majority of the voting members. A quorum shall be one-half of the voting members.

(6) The members of the advisory council shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177 and pursuant to policies of the advisory council. Funds for reimbursement for expenses shall be from the Women's Health Initiative Fund.

(7) The advisory council shall advise the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska in carrying out its duties under section 71-701 and may solicit private funds to support the initiative.

The Department of Health and Human Services will determine how the department will provide personnel to carry out the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska. The department shall employ personnel, including an executive director, necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the initiative. The Governor's Policy Research Office, the department, and other state agencies as necessary may provide administrative and technical support under the direct supervision of the Governor. The initiative may secure cooperation and assistance of other appropriate government and private-sector entities for women's health issues, programs, and educational materials.

The Legislature recognizes the generosity of its citizens and charitable organizations that donate their time and money to provide funds to their fellow citizens. It is the intent of the Legislature to permit the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska to obtain and expend such funds to carry out the purposes of sections 71-701 to 71-707. Private citizens and charitable organizations may donate and grant funds to the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska to pay for programs, educational materials, promotions, and other activities undertaken by the initiative.

The Women's Health Initiative Fund is created. The fund terminates on July 1, 2026. The fund shall consist of money received as gifts or grants or collected as fees or charges from any federal, state, public, or private source. Money in the fund shall be used to reimburse the expenses of the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska and expenses of members of the Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council. Nothing in sections 71-701 to 71-707 requires the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska to accept any private donations that are not in keeping with the goals and objectives set forth by the initiative and the Department of Health and Human Services. No funds expended or received by or through the initiative shall pay for abortion referral or abortion services. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall have all powers necessary to implement the purposes and intent of sections 71-701 to 71-707, including applying for, receiving, and administering federal and other public and private funds credited to the Women's Health Initiative Fund prior to July 1, 2026. Any funds obtained for the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Women's Health Initiative Fund prior to July 1, 2026.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on September 1 for the preceding fiscal year's activities of the Women's Health Initiative of Nebraska. The report submitted to the Legislature shall be submitted electronically. The report shall include progress reports on any programs, activities, or educational promotions that were undertaken by the initiative. The report shall also include a status report on women's health in Nebraska and any results achieved by the initiative.