§30-32-6. Powers and duties of the board.

(a) The board has all the powers and duties set forth in this article, by legislative rule, in article one of this chapter and elsewhere in law.

(b) The board shall:

(1) Hold meetings and conduct hearings;

(2) Establish requirements for licenses and registrations;

(3) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for licenses and registrations;

(4) Determine the qualifications of any applicant for a license or registration;

(5) Communicate disciplinary actions to relevant state and federal authorities, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the West Virginia Speech-Language and Hearing Association and other applicable authorities when public safety is at risk;

(6) Maintain an office and hire, discharge, establish the job requirements and fix the compensation of employees and contracted employees necessary to enforce the provisions of this article;

(7) Investigate alleged violations of the provisions of this article, legislative rules, orders and final decisions of the board;

(8) Conduct disciplinary hearings of persons regulated by the board;

(9) Determine disciplinary action and issue orders;

(10) Institute appropriate legal action for the enforcement of the provisions of this article;

(11) Maintain an accurate registry of names and addresses of all persons regulated by the board;

(12) Keep accurate and complete records of its proceedings, and certify the same as may be necessary and appropriate;

(13) Issue, renew, combine, deny, suspend, revoke or reinstate licenses and registrations pursuant to the provisions of this article;

(14) Establish a fee schedule;

(15) Take all actions necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this article; and

(16) Propose rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article.

(c) The board may:

(1) Approve and contract with third parties to administer the examinations required under the provisions of this article;

(2) Sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this state;

(3) Confer with the Attorney General or his or her assistants in connection with legal matters and questions; and

(4) Perform random audits of continuing education, supervision records and documentation of licensure and registration requirements to determine compliance with this article.