Introduced By: Representatives Watson and Callahan
Date Introduced : February 2, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 5-26-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-26 entitled "Division of Professional Regulation" is hereby amended to read as follows:
5-26-2. Boards of examiners appointed by director of health. -- The director of health, with the approval of the governor, shall also appoint to the division of professional regulation a board of nursing registration and education as provided by chapter 34 of this title, and a board of examiners of each of the following arts, practices, sciences, or callings: barbering, podiatry, chiropractic, {ADD (except as provided in section 5-30-1.1), ADD} psychology, optometry, electrolysis, and physical therapy: and a board of five (5) examiners in speech pathology, audiology, and embalming. Those boards shall perform the duties prescribed by chapters 10, 29, 30, {ADD (except as provided in section 5-30-1.1) ADD}, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 44, and 48 of this title.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5-30 of the General Laws entitled "Chiropractors" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
{ADD 5-30-1.1. Board of Chiropractic Examiners. -- ADD} {ADD Within the division of professional regulation, department of health, there shall be a state board of chiropractic examiners to be appointed by the director of health with the approval of the governor. The board shall consist of five (5) members who are certified electors in this state, to be appointed to terms of three (3) years each. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms. Three (3) members shall be chiropractors licensed to practice in the state of Rhode Island, and two (2) members shall be representatives of the general public. ADD}
{ADD The current members of the board as provided for in chapter 5-26 shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms. One additional chiropractor and the public members shall be appointed for initial terms to expire on June 30, 2002. ADD}
{ADD At the expiration of the terms, the director, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint, at that time, and every three (3) years thereafter, qualified persons for a term of three (3) years. Upon the death, resignation or removal of any member, the director of health, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint to vacancies, as they occur, a qualified person to serve on the board for the remainder of the term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. ADD}
{ADD The director of health may remove any member of the board for neglect of any duty required by law or for any incompetent, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment is made for the remainder of the term. Before beginning his or her term of office, each member shall take the oath prescribed by law for state officers, a record of which shall be filed with the secretary of state. ADD}
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
