ENTITLED An Act to revise provisions related to the State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and its appointed professional councils.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That   36-4-1 be AMENDED:

36-4-1. The State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners, hereinafter called the Board of Examiners, consists of:

(1) Nine physicians licensed in accordance with this chapter;

(2) One physician assistant licensed in accordance with chapter 36-4A;

(3) One emergency medical services personnel licensed in accordance with chapter 36-4B;

(4) One respiratory care practitioner licensed in accordance with chapter 36-4C;

(5) One nutritionist or dietician licensed in accordance with chapter 36-10B;

(6) One athletic trainer licensed in accordance with chapter 36-29;

(7) One occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed in accordance with chapter 36-31;

(8) One genetic counselor licensed in accordance with chapter 36-36; and

(9) One individual who is a representative of the public.

The Governor shall appoint each member of the board. The term of office for each member is three years. A member's term begins on October thirty-first of the calendar year in which the Governor appoints the member, unless otherwise designated by the Governor. The member's term expires on October thirtieth in the third year of appointment.

No member may serve more than three consecutive, full terms. An appointment to an unexpired term is not considered a full term. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Governor shall appoint a new member to fill any vacancy on the board. The Governor may stagger terms to enable the board to have different terms expire each year.

Section 2. That   36-4-4 be AMENDED:

36-4-4. The Board of Examiners shall hold two regular meetings each year at a time to be fixed by the board. The Board of Examiners may hold special meetings at such other times as necessary. All meetings must be held at the place within the state as the board shall determine.

The Board of Examiners may act on matters without receiving prior communication or recommendations from any of its appointed professional councils if the board determines that action is necessary to protect public health, interest, or safety.

Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 36-4:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, only the nine physician members and the representative of the public referenced in   36-4-1 may:

(1) Participate in discussion on matters related to the licensure, practice, education, continuing education, investigation, and discipline of physicians;

(2) Be present for discussion of confidential matters and have access to confidential materials related to the licensure, practice, education, continuing education, investigation, and discipline of physicians; and

(3) Act on matters related to the licensure, practice, education, continuing education, investigation, and discipline of physicians.

Section 4. That   36-4A-3.1 be AMENDED:

36-4A-3.1. The board shall appoint a physician assistant council composed of three physician assistants. The term of office for each member is three years. No member may be appointed to more than three consecutive, full terms. If a vacancy occurs, the board must appoint a new member to fill the unexpired term. The appointment of a member to an unexpired term is not considered a full term.

The council shall meet at least twice each year, at a time and place set by the council, and may hold additional meetings as necessary to conduct business. The council shall meet the requirements of chapter 1-25 regarding open meetings.

The council shall:

(1) Assist the board in all matters related to the licensure, practice, education, continuing education, investigation, and discipline of physician assistants pursuant to this chapter;

(2) Make recommendations to the board regarding rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter; and

(3) Submit meeting minutes and any recommendations to the board following each council meeting.

The board shall communicate activity on all matters relating to physician assistants with the council.

Section 5. That   36-4B-37 be AMENDED:

36-4B-37. The board shall appoint an emergency medical services personnel council composed of five members:

(1) One emergency medical technician;

(2) One emergency medical technician-intermediate/85, emergency medical technician-intermediate/99, or advanced emergency medical technician;

(3) Two paramedics; and

(4) One physician licensed in accordance with chapter 36-4 and trained in emergency medicine.

The term of office for each member is three years. No member may be appointed to more than three consecutive, full terms. If a vacancy occurs, the board must appoint a new member to fill the unexpired term. The appointment of a member to an unexpired term is not considered a full term.

The council shall meet at least twice each year, at a time and place set by the council, and may hold additional meetings as necessary to conduct business. The council shall meet the requirements of chapter 1-25 regarding open meetings.

The council shall assist the board in all matters related to the licensure, practice, education, continuing education, investigation, and discipline of emergency medical services personnel pursuant to this chapter. The council shall make recommendations to the board regarding rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter. The council shall submit meeting minutes and any recommendations to the board following each council meeting.

The board shall communicate activity on all matters relating to emergency medical services personnel with the council.

Section 6. That   36-4C-1 be AMENDED:

36-4C-1. Terms used in this chapter mean:

(1) "Affiliate," the South Dakota affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care;

(2) "Board," the State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners;

(3) "Certified respiratory therapist," a respiratory care practitioner who has successfully completed a training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and who has successfully completed the entry level examination for respiratory therapists administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated;

(4) "Graduate respiratory care practitioner," a person who has graduated from an education and training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and who is eligible to take the licensure examination required by   36-4C-8;

(5) "Qualified medical director," a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 36-4 who has a special interest and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary problems and is responsible for the medical direction of any inpatient or outpatient respiratory care service, department, or home care agency. If possible, the medical director must be qualified by special training or be experienced in the management of acute and chronic respiratory disorders or both. The medical director is responsible for the quality, safety, and appropriateness of respiratory care services;

(6) "Respiratory care practitioner," any person with a temporary permit or license to practice respiratory care as defined in this chapter and whose temporary permit or license is in good standing;

(7) "Registered respiratory therapist," a respiratory care practitioner who has successfully completed a training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and who has successfully completed the registry examination for advanced respiratory therapists administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated; and

(8) "Student respiratory care practitioner," a person who is enrolled in an education and training program for respiratory care practitioners that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and who provides respiratory care under direct supervision of a licensed respiratory care practitioner who is on the premises where the respiratory care services are provided and who is available for immediate consultation.

Section 7. That   36-4C-4 be AMENDED: