§30-1-4a. Lay members of professional boards.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, the Governor shall appoint at least one lay person to represent the interests of the public on every health professional licensing board which is referred to in this chapter. If the total number of members on any of these boards after the appointment of one lay person is an even number, one additional lay person shall be appointed. Lay members shall serve in addition to any other members otherwise provided for by law or rule. Lay members shall be at least eighteen years of age, shall be of good moral character, and shall be competent to represent and safeguard the interests of the public. Each lay member is empowered to participate in and vote on all transactions and business of the board, committee or group to which he or she is appointed.

(b) Any person whose addition to a board as a lay member under the provisions of this section results in the addition of an odd number of lay additions to the board shall serve for a term ending in an odd-numbered year on the date in that year on which terms of the professional members expire. Of the members first appointed, each shall serve for a term ending in the year one thousand nine hundred seventy-nine, and the successor to each of the first members shall serve for a term equal in length to the terms of the other professional members of the board.

(c) Any person whose addition to a board as a lay member under the provisions of this section results in the addition of an even number of lay additions to the board shall serve for a term ending in an even-numbered year on the date in that year on which terms of the professional members expire. Of the members first appointed, each shall serve for a term ending in the year one thousand nine hundred seventy-eight, and the successor to each of the first members shall serve for a term equal in length to the terms of the other professional members of the board.