Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 531
Section 3503 - Board of Examiners of Psychologists; appointments; qualifications; term; vacancies; suspension or removal; unexcused absences; compensation(a) There is created a State Board of Examiners of Psychologists which shall administer and enforce this chapter.(b) The Board shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Governor, who are residents of this state: 5 of whom shall be psychologists licensed under this chapter and 4 public members. At least 3 members of the Board shall be engaged full time in the practice of psychology. The public members shall not be, nor ever have been, psychologists or psychological assistants, nor members of the immediate family of a psychologist or psychological assistant; shall not have been employed by a psychologist or psychological assistant; shall not have a material interest in the providing of goods and services to psychologists or psychological assistants; nor have been engaged in an activity directly related to psychology. The public members shall be accessible to inquiries, comments and suggestions from the general public. (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, each member shall serve a term of 3 years, and may serve 1 additional term in succession; provided, however, that where a member was initially appointed to fill a vacancy, such member may serve only 1 additional full term in succession. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the former member. Each term of office shall expire on the date specified in the appointment; however, the Board member shall remain eligible to participate in Board proceedings unless and until replaced by the Governor. Persons who are members of the Board on June 12, 1995, shall complete their terms.(d) A person who has never served on the Board may be appointed to the Board for 2 consecutive terms; but no such person shall thereafter be eligible for 2 consecutive appointments. No person, who has been twice appointed to the Board or who has served on the Board for 6 years within any 9-year period, shall again be appointed to the Board until an interim period of at least 1 year has expired since such person last served.(e) Any act or vote by a person appointed in violation of this section shall be invalid. An amendment or revision of this chapter is not sufficient cause for any appointment or attempted appointment in violation of subsection (d) of this section, unless such an amendment or revision amends this section to permit such an appointment.(f) A member of the Board shall be suspended or removed by the Governor for misfeasance, nonfeasance, malfeasance, misconduct, incompetency or neglect of duty. A member subject to disciplinary hearing shall be disqualified from Board business until the charge is adjudicated or the matter is otherwise concluded. A Board member may appeal any suspension or removal to the Superior Court.(g) No member of the Board, while serving on the Board, shall hold elective office in any professional association of psychologists.(h) The provisions set forth for "employees" in Chapter 58 of Title 29 shall apply to all members of the Board, and to all agents appointed, or otherwise employed, by the Board.(i) Any member who is absent without adequate reason for 3 consecutive meetings, or fails to attend at least half of all regular business meetings during any calendar year, shall be guilty of neglect of duty. (j) Each member of the Board shall be reimbursed for all expenses involved in each meeting, including travel, and in addition shall receive compensation per meeting attended in an amount determined by the Division in accordance with § 9, Article III of the Delaware Constitution. Amended by Laws 2017, ch. 85,s 18, eff. 7/21/2017.24 Del. C. 1953, § 3502; 58 Del. Laws, c. 380; 62 Del. Laws, c. 314, §§2, 3; 65 Del. Laws, c. 223, §1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 366, §14; 67 Del. Laws, c. 368, §22; 70 Del. Laws, c. 57, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;