§34-21-82. Joint committee - Appointment, terms of office, office of chairperson, and meetings.

(a)(1) The physician members of the joint committee shall be appointed by the State Board of Medical Examiners and shall serve three-year terms as set out below.

(2) The registered nurse members of the joint committee shall be appointed by the Board of Nursing and shall serve three-year terms as set out below.

(b)(1) In order to stagger the terms of office, the Board of Nursing and the State Board of Medical Examiners will each appoint to the initial joint committee one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years, and one member for a term of three years. Should a vacancy occur on the committee, a successor will be appointed to serve the unexpired term. The committee shall select one of its members to serve as chairperson for a one-year term.

(2) The office of chairperson shall alternate between a physician member of the committee and a nurse member of the committee.

(3) The committee shall meet annually, or more frequently if requested by the State Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Nursing. Members of the committee shall receive per diem at a rate of $100 per day or any portion thereof that such a committee member shall be in attendance at an official meeting or function of the committee and in addition shall receive reimbursement for subsistence and travel in accordance with state law for each day actively engaged in the duties of their offices. The State Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing shall pay per diem and expenses of the members each appoints to the joint committee and shall furnish necessary clerical and administrative support for operation of the committee.

(Acts 1995, No. 95-263, p. 464, §3.)