(2) The director shall include advisory committee recommendations in the Department of Human Services’ decision-making process. The advisory committee shall:
(a) Collect and study data and other information and offer advice concerning specialized needs of specific client groups;
(b) Provide liaison between the department and the rehabilitation community;
(c) Review and suggest new and revised legislation affecting the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to Oregonians with disabilities;
(d) Study, collect data and offer advice regarding high priority issues identified by the department;
(e) Consider items of statewide concern relayed from regional advisory committees; and
(f) Utilize regional committees as a resource for gathering information as it relates to the individual areas.
(3) Through the advisory committee, the department shall take into account views of individuals and groups who are recipients of vocational rehabilitation services, providers of vocational rehabilitation services and others who are active in the vocational rehabilitation field, in connection with matters of general policy, program development and implementation. [1989 c.225 §1; 1999 c.59 §91; 2001 c.900 §60; 2007 c.70 §112]