76-389. Telemedicine communications system; contracts; fees for services; advisory committee. (a) Within the limits of appropriations therefor, the university of Kansas medical center is hereby authorized to establish, maintain and operate a telemedicine communications system, subject to the approval by the executive chief information technology officer under K.S.A. 75-4709, and amendments thereto. The telemedicine communications system shall apply telecommunications technology to the practice of medicine through compressed, full-motion, high-resolution, two-way interactive video communication and information transfer over long distances within a medical setting.

(b) For the purpose of establishing, operating and maintaining the telemedicine communications system, the university of Kansas medical center may enter into contracts with any state agency, and any such agency is authorized to contract for such purpose with the university of Kansas medical center. The university of Kansas medical center in addition may enter into contracts or other agreements with any municipality as defined under K.S.A. 75-1117, and amendments thereto, medical facility as defined under K.S.A. 65-411, and amendments thereto, individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity for the establishment of the telemedicine communications system or the establishment or operation of any part thereof including placement, operation and maintenance of equipment. In accordance with the authority of the executive chief information technology officer under K.S.A. 75-4709, and amendments thereto, all contracts entered into by the university of Kansas school of medicine under this section shall be subject to approval by the executive chief information technology officer. Standards and qualifications for utilization of the telemedicine communications system shall be established by the telemedicine advisory committee.

(c) For the purpose of establishing, operating and maintaining the telemedicine communications system, the university of Kansas medical center may accept any grant of money or property, including any federal moneys available therefor. Within the limits of appropriations therefor and subject to approval by the executive chief information technology officer under K.S.A. 75-4709, and amendments thereto, the university of Kansas medical center may acquire, in the name of the state, any equipment necessary for the telemedicine communications system.

(d) As part of the telemedicine communications system under this section and within the limits of appropriations therefor, the university of Kansas medical center may provide and may fix, charge and collect fees, which shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of one or more special revenue funds as specified by the vice-chancellor, for the following services:

(1) Clinical and educational telemedicine services;

(2) consulting services pertaining to the technology, system capability, clinical services supported and basic telemedicine information;

(3) system design information;

(4) advice and assistance on equipment and acquisition installation;

(5) coordination with serving telephone companies and attachment to telecommunications networks;

(6) system training;

(7) coordination of system upgrades;

(8) clearinghouse for telemedicine information; and

(9) such other services as may be necessary in establishing, operating and maintaining the telemedicine communications system.

(e) There is hereby established the telemedicine advisory committee to consist of five members. The members of the telemedicine advisory committee shall be appointed by the chancellor of the university of Kansas. Of the members of the telemedicine advisory committee, one member shall be a representative of the Kansas medical society and one member shall be a representative of the Kansas hospital association. The chancellor shall designate the member who is chairperson of the telemedicine advisory committee. Vacancies on the telemedicine advisory committee shall be filled in like manner as original appointments. The telemedicine advisory committee shall meet periodically upon the call of the chairperson of the telemedicine advisory committee. Members of the telemedicine advisory committee attending meetings of the committee, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the committee, shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto. The telemedicine advisory committee shall make recommendations to the university of Kansas medical center in regard to the administration of the provisions of this section, shall establish standards and qualifications for utilization of the telemedicine communications system in accordance with subsection (b) and shall perform such other duties as may be required by law.

History: L. 1994, ch. 178, § 1; L. 2013, ch. 62, § 33; July 1.