Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 13 § 11A

Current through Chapter 244 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 13:11A - [Effective 11/21/2024] Board of allied health professions establishment; membership; appointment; term; removal; election of officers; expenses; powers and duties

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.

(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.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 13, § 13:11A

Amended by Acts 2024, c. 186,§ 4, eff. 11/21/2024.

Amended by Acts 2024, c. 186,§ 3, eff. 11/21/2024.

This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.