§ 11A — Board of allied health professions; membership; appointment; term; removal; election of officers; expenses; powers and duties

[ First paragraph effective until November 21, 2024. For text effective November 21, 2024 see below.]Section 11A. There shall be a board of allied health professions, hereinafter called the board, which shall consist of eleven members to be appointed by the governor. Members of the board shall be residents of the commonwealth and citizens of the United States. Three of such members shall be athletic trainers licensed in accordance with the provisions of section twenty-three B of chapter one hundred and twelve; two of such members shall be occupational therapists licensed in accordance with the provisions of section twenty-three B of chapter one hundred and twelve, one such member shall be an occupational therapy assistant licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section twenty-three B; two of such members shall be physical therapists licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section twenty-three B; one such member shall be a physical therapist assistant licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section twenty-three B; except that such members constituting the first board shall be persons who are eligible for licensing as practitioners of said allied health profession. One of such members shall be a physician licensed in accordance with the provisions of section two of chapter one hundred and twelve, and one of such members shall be selected from and shall represent the general public.[ First paragraph as amended by 2024, 186, Sec. 3 effective November 21, 2024. For text effective until November 21, 2024, see above.]There shall be a board of allied health professions, hereinafter called the board, which shall consist of 15 members who are residents of the commonwealth to be appointed by the governor, 3 of whom shall be qualified athletic trainers licensed pursuant to section 23B of chapter 112, 2 of whom shall be occupational therapists licensed pursuant to said section 23B of said chapter 112, 1 of whom shall be an occupational therapy assistant licensed pursuant to said section 23B of said chapter 112, 2 of whom shall be physical therapists licensed pursuant to said section 23B of said chapter 112, 1 of whom shall be a physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to said section 23B of said chapter 112, 3 of whom shall be lactation consultants licensed pursuant to said section 23B of said chapter 112, 2 of whom shall be physicians licensed pursuant to section 2 of said chapter 112 and 1 of whom shall be selected from and shall represent the general public.Each member of the board shall serve for a term of three years. No member shall be appointed to more than two consecutive full terms, provided, however, that a member appointed for less than a full term may serve two full terms in addition to such part of a full term, and a former member shall again be eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years.A member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance or misfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against him and sufficient opportunity to be heard thereon. Upon the death, resignation or removal for cause of any member of the board, the governor shall fill such vacancy for the remainder of that member's year.The board shall, at its first meeting, and annually thereafter, elect from among its members a chairman, vice-chairman, and a secretary. Such officers shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. The board shall meet at least once a month or more often upon the call of the chairman at such times and places as the chairman shall designate.Each member shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of his official duties.The board shall have the following powers and duties:(a) The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this section, evaluate the qualifications, and approve the examinations for licensure under this section, and may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, and administer oaths, and may investigate allegations of practices violating the provisions of this section.[ Subsection (b) of sixth paragraph effective until November 21, 2024. For text effective November 21, 2024, see below.](b) The board shall adopt rules and regulations relating to professional conduct to carry out the policy of this section including, but not limited to, regulations relating to professional licensure and to the establishment of ethical standards of practice for persons holding a license to practice athletic training, occupational therapy, or physical therapy in the commonwealth.[ Subsection (b) of sixth paragraph as amended by 2024, 186, Sec. 4 effective November 21, 2024. For text effective until November 21, 2024, see above.](b) The board shall adopt rules and regulations relating to professional conduct to carry out the policy of this section including, but not limited to, regulations relating to professional licensure and to the establishment of ethical standards of practice for persons holding a license to practice athletic training, occupational therapy, physical therapy or lactation consulting in the commonwealth.(c) The board shall conduct such hearings and keep such records and minutes as are necessary to carry out its duties. The board shall provide reasonable public notice of the times and places of all hearings authorized under this section, in such manner and at such times as it may determine.