(1) There is created hereby the board of hearing and speech to govern the three separate professions: Hearing instrument fitting/dispensing, audiology, and speech-language pathology. The board shall consist of ten members to be appointed by the governor.

     (2) Members of the board shall be residents of this state. Three members shall represent the public and shall have an interest in the rights of consumers of health services, and shall not be or have been a member of, or married to a member of, another licensing board, a licensee of a health occupation board, an employee of a health facility, nor derive his or her primary livelihood from the provision of health services at any level of responsibility. Two members shall be hearing instrument fitter/dispensers who are licensed under this chapter, have at least five years of experience in the practice of hearing instrument fitting and dispensing, and must be actively engaged in fitting and dispensing within two years of appointment. Two members of the board shall be audiologists licensed under this chapter who have at least five years of experience in the practice of audiology and must be actively engaged in practice within two years of appointment. Two members of the board shall be speech-language pathologists licensed under this chapter who have at least five years of experience in the practice of speech-language pathology and must be actively engaged in practice within two years of appointment. One advisory nonvoting member shall be a medical physician licensed in the state of Washington.

     (3) The term of office of a member is three years. Of the initial appointments, one hearing instrument fitter/dispenser, one speech-language pathologist, one audiologist, and one consumer shall be appointed for a term of two years, and one hearing instrument fitter/dispenser, one speech-language pathologist, one audiologist, and two consumers shall be appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter, all appointments shall be made for expired terms. No member shall be appointed to serve more than two consecutive terms. A member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed. The governor shall either reappoint the member or appoint a successor to assume the member's duties at the expiration of his or her predecessor's term. A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

     (4) The chair shall rotate annually among the hearing instrument fitter/dispensers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and public members serving on the board. In the absence of the chair, the board shall appoint an interim chair. In event of a tie vote, the issue shall be brought to a second vote and the chair shall refrain from voting.

     (5) The board shall meet at least once each year, at a place, day and hour determined by the board, unless otherwise directed by a majority of board members. The board shall also meet at such other times and places as are requested by the department or by three members of the board. A quorum is a majority of the board. A hearing instrument fitter/dispenser, speech-language pathologist, and audiologist must be represented. Meetings of the board shall be open and public, except the board may hold executive sessions to the extent permitted by chapter 42.30 RCW.

     (6) Members of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed for their travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

     (7) The governor may remove a member of the board for cause at the recommendation of a majority of the board.

[2002 c 310 § 15; 1996 c 200 § 19; 1993 c 313 § 6; 1989 c 198 § 7; 1984 c 287 § 33; 1983 c 39 § 12; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 35; 1973 1st ex.s. c 106 § 15.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2002 c 310: See note following RCW 18.35.010.

     Legislative findings -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1984 c 287: See notes following RCW 43.03.220.

     Effective date -- Severability -- 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.

Secretary of health or designee as ex officio member of health professional licensure and disciplinary boards: RCW 43.70.300.