Sec. 1. (a) There is established the speech-language pathology and audiology board.

(b) The board shall be comprised of five (5) members, who shall be appointed by the governor. Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, four (4) board members shall have been residents of this state for at least one (1) year immediately preceding their appointment and shall have been engaged in rendering services to the public, teaching, or research in speech-language pathology or audiology for at least five (5) years immediately preceding their appointment. At least two (2) board members shall be speech-language pathologists and at least two (2) shall be audiologists. Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, the fifth member of the board, to represent the general public, shall be a resident of this state who has never been associated with speech-language pathology or audiology in any way other than as a consumer. Except for the member representing the general public, all board members shall at all times be holders of active and valid licenses for the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology in this state.

(c) A member may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4.

(d) Appointments shall be:

(1) for members appointed before July 1, 2019, for a three year term; and

(2) for members appointed after June 30, 2019, for a term under IC 25-1-6.5.

(e) The governor may consider, but shall not be bound to accept, recommendations for board membership made by a statewide association for speech-language and hearing. A statewide association for speech-language and hearing may submit to the governor its recommendations for board membership not less than sixty (60) days after a vacancy. In the event of a mid-term vacancy, such association may make recommendations for filling such vacancy.

(f) At the first meeting of the board each year, members shall elect a chairperson for the subsequent twelve (12) month period. Further meetings may be convened at the call of the chairperson or the written request of any two (2) board members. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public, except that the board may hold closed sessions to prepare, approve, grade, or administer examinations or, upon request of an applicant who fails an examination, to prepare a response indicating any reason for the applicant's failure. All meetings of the board must be held in Indiana.

(g) A quorum of the board consists of a majority of the appointed members. A majority of the quorum may transact business.

Formerly: Acts 1973, P.L.262, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.266; P.L.250-1985, SEC.3; P.L.149-1987, SEC.108; P.L.168-2016, SEC.9; P.L.249-2019, SEC.135.