32-3402. Board of occupational therapy examiners; members; qualifications; terms; compensation; civil immunity

A. The board of occupational therapy examiners is established and consists of five members appointed by the governor. Each board member shall be a resident of the state at the time of appointment. The governor shall appoint two persons who are not engaged, directly or indirectly, in the provision of health care services to serve as public members. The other three members shall have at least three years of experience in occupational therapy or teaching in an accredited occupational therapy education program in this state immediately before appointment and shall be licensed under this chapter. The governor may select board members from a list of licensees submitted by the Arizona occupational therapy association, inc. or any other appropriate organization.

B. Before appointment by the governor, a prospective member of the board shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the governor for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.

C. The term of office of board members is three years to begin and end on the third Monday in January. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.

D. The board, at its first regular meeting after the start of each calendar year and as necessary, shall elect a chairperson and other officers from among its members. The board shall meet at least once each quarter in compliance with the open meeting requirements of title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1 and shall keep an official record of these meetings. Other meetings may be convened at the call of the chairperson or the written request of any two board members. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

E. Each member of the board is eligible to receive compensation in the amount of one hundred dollars for each regular or special board meeting the member attends and is eligible for reimbursement for all expenses necessarily and properly incurred in attending board meetings.

F. A board member is immune from civil liability for any actions that are within the scope of the board member's duties if they are taken without malice and in the reasonable belief that they are warranted by law.