CHAPTER 30. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS.

ARTICLE 8. OPTOMETRISTS.

§30-8-4. Board of Optometry.

(a) The West Virginia Board of Optometry is continued. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2010, shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

(b) The board shall consist of the following members appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate:

(1) Five licensed optometrists; and

(2) Two citizen members, who are not licensed under the provisions of this article and who do not perform any services related to the practice of the profession regulated under the provisions of this article.

(c) Each licensed member of the board, at the time of his or her appointment, must have held a professional license in this state for a period of not less than three years immediately preceding the appointment.

(d) Each member of the board must be a resident of this state during the appointment term.

(e) The term shall be three years. A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A member may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and has qualified.

(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 and the appointment shall be made within sixty days of the vacancy.

(g) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.

(h) A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her license to practice is suspended or revoked, is convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction, or becomes a nonresident of this state.

(i) The board shall elect annually a president and a secretary-treasurer from its members who serve at the will of the board.

(j) Each member of the board is entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with article one of this chapter.

(k) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.

(l) The board shall hold at least two meetings a year. Other meetings may be held at the call of the president or upon the written request of two members at the time and place as designated in the call or request.

(m) 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.

Bill History For §30-8-4