§ 27-19.2-5. Composition of the board of directors. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any public law, rule or regulation to the contrary, six (6) positions on the board of directors of a nonprofit hospital and/or medical service corporation, shall be filled by public appointment for a maximum of three (3) three (3) year terms. Public appointment of two (2) of the directors shall be made by the Governor, two (2) shall be made by the Speaker of the House, and two (2) shall be made by the President of the Senate. Neither state employees nor elected state officials shall serve as public members of the board of directors. Each appointing authority shall make one such appointment on or after July 1, 2004, and the remaining will be made on or after July 1, 2005. Once appointed, public members may only be removed in accordance with the bylaws of the nonprofit hospital and/or medical service corporation. When sufficient public appointments have been made, vacancies shall thereafter be filled for a maximum of three (3) three (3) year terms as the board of directors may determine, and consistent with subsection (2) hereof, except that seats filled by public appointment pursuant to this subsection shall always remain subject to such public appointment, upon the resignation, removal, incapacity or retirement of the incumbent public appointee. Public appointees shall not constitute a majority of the board.

(2) Future vacancies not filled by public appointment pursuant to subsection (1) hereof shall be filled by an open and public process of recruitment and appointment, to be determined by the board and within its discretion, but to include public solicitation of candidates.

(3) At the end of their term, directors shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Nothing herein prevents the reappointment of a board member presently serving.

(4) Public appointees may not:

(i) Be employed by or have a financial interest in:

(A) A nonprofit hospital and/or medical service plan or its affiliates or subsidiaries;

(B) A person regulated under this article; or

(ii) Within three (3) years before appointment, have been employed by, had a financial interest in or have received compensation from:

(A) A nonprofit hospital and/or medical service plan or its affiliates or subsidiaries; or

(B) A person regulated under this article.

(b) An officer or employee of a nonprofit hospital and/or medical service plan or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries may not be appointed or elected to the board.

(c) Each standing committee shall have representation from the public appointee members.

History of Section. (P.L. 2004, ch. 330, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 567, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 616, § 1.)