(a) The appointing authorities for state health-related agencies, boards, and commissions shall consider appointment recommendations submitted by minority health-related professional associations.

(b) The recommending organizations under this section include without limitation:

(1) The Arkansas Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association;

(2) The Arkansas Metro Association of Black Social Workers;

(3) The Arkansas Black Nurses Association;

(4) The National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Arkansas Chapter;

(5) The National Pharmacists Association of Arkansas; and

(6) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(c) Recommendations for appointments under this section shall:

(1) Be submitted to the appointing authorities at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of a position in a state health-related agency, board, or commission relevant to the field or practice of the recommending body;

(2) Be submitted to the appointing authorities anytime before the appointing authority fills a position that has opened due to resignation or removal before the end of the originally appointed term;

(3) Be submitted by an officially designated officer or committee on behalf of the recommending organization; and

(4) Include correspondence on official organizational letterhead and the resume or curriculum vitae of a recommended candidate.

(d) If a recommendation for appointment under subsection (b) of this section is not received within the time allotted for the appointment, the appointing authority may make the appointment without a recommendation.

(e) The health-related agencies, boards, and commissions for which recommendations may be considered under this section include the:

(1) Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine;

(2) Arkansas Psychology Board;

(3) Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board;

(4) Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;

(5) Arkansas State Medical Board;

(6) Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy;

(7) Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; and

(8) State Board of Optometry.

(f) This section does not change or affect any existing delineations for minority appointments.