§30-7-3. Board of examiners for registered professional nurses.
(a) The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses is renamed the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses effective July 1, 2022. The members of the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses shall remain as members until the new appointments are made.
(b) By July 1, 2022, the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a new board as follows:
(1) One person licensed as an advanced practice registered professional nurse by the board;
(2) One person who is certified as a dialysis technician by the board;
(3) Four persons licensed as a registered professional nurse by the board and meet the following requirements:
(A) One registered professional nurse, who provides direct patient care in a long-term care facility, home health or hospice;
(B) Two registered professional nurses, who provide direct patient care in a hospital setting or acute care setting; and,
(C) One registered professional nurse, who teaches nursing; and,
(4) One citizen member who is not licensed under the provisions of this chapter and who has never performed any services as a health care professional.
(c) Organizations that represent nurses may submit to the Governor recommendations for the appointment of the licensed board members.
(d) The appointment term is four years. A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms. A member may continue to serve until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified.
(e) Each member of the board shall be a resident of this state during the appointment term.
(f) A vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term of the member whose office is vacant.
(g) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency, or official misconduct.
(h) A licensed member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her license to practice is disciplined in any jurisdiction.
(i) A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if he or she is convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction or becomes a nonresident of this state.
(j) The board shall elect one of its members as president and one member as secretary who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board.
(k) A member of the board is entitled to receive compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with §30-1-1 et seq. of this code.
(l) A simple majority of the membership serving on the board at a given time is a quorum for the transaction of business.
(m) The board shall hold at least two meetings annually. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the president or upon the written request of four members, at the time and place as designated in the call or request.
(n) Prior to commencing his or her duties as a member of the board, each member shall take and subscribe to the oath required by section five, article four of the Constitution of this state.
(o) A board member, when acting in good faith and without malice, shall enjoy immunity from individual civil liability while acting within the scope of their duties as board members.
