H-1762              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 942

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Cantwell, Moyer, Braddock, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Ferguson, Schoon, Brooks, Lux, Beck, Bristow, Lewis, Day, Bumgarner, Jesernig, Padden and Miller

Read first time 2/16/87 and referred to Committee on Health Care.

AN ACT Relating to the state board of medical examiners; and amending RCW 18.71.015.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 2, chapter 284, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 44, chapter 287, Laws of 1984 and RCW 18.71.015 are each amended to read as follows:

          There is hereby created a board of medical examiners consisting of six individuals licensed to practice medicine in the state of Washington, one individual who is licensed as a physician's assistant under chapter 18.71A RCW who shall be entitled to vote only on matters directly related to the examination of physicians' assistants, and one individual who is not a physician, to be known as the Washington state board of medical examiners.

          The board shall be appointed by the governor.  The members of the first board shall be appointed within thirty days after March 21, 1961, to serve the following terms:  One member for one year, one member for two years, one member for three years, one member for four years, one member for five years, from the date of their appointment, or until their successors are duly appointed and qualified.  On expiration of the term of any member, the governor shall appoint for a period of five years an individual of similar qualifications to take the place of such member.  Each member shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which such member is appointed or until a successor shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.

          Each member of the board shall be a citizen of the United States, must be an actual resident of this state, and, if a physician, must have been licensed to practice medicine in this state for at least five years.

          The board shall meet as soon as practicable after appointment and elect a chairman and a secretary from its members.  Meetings shall be held at least four times a year and at such place as the board shall determine and at such other times and places as the board deems necessary.

          It shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board to carry any motion or resolution, to adopt any rule, to pass any measure, or to authorize or deny the issuance of any certificate.

          Each member of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and in addition thereto shall be reimbursed for travel expenses  incurred in carrying out the duties of the board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  Any such expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated to the department of licensing.

          Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance or misfeasance in office.

          Vacancies in the membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor.