SECTION 435:30-1-9. Occupational Therapy Advisory Committee

(a)   Purpose. The rules in this section shall set out the organization and administration and other general procedures and policies governing the operation of the Occupational Therapy Advisory Committee.

(b)   Meetings.

(1)   The advisory committee shall hold a meeting not less than 7 days prior to any regularly scheduled meeting set by the Board at such designated date and time as may be determined by the Chairperson.

(2)   Special meetings may be called by the chairperson at such times and dates as become necessary for the transaction of advisory committee business.

(3)   Meetings shall be announced and conducted under the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law.

(c)   Quorum. A quorum of the advisory committee necessary to conduct official business is three (3) members.

(d)   Transaction of official business.

(1)   The advisory committee may transact official business only when in a legally constituted meeting with a quorum present.

(2)   The advisory committee shall not be bound in any way by any statement or action on the part of any advisory committee member except when a statement or action is in pursuance of specific instructions of the advisory committee.

(3)   Advisory committee action shall require a majority vote of those members present and voting.

(e)   Policy against discrimination. The advisory committee shall make decisions in the discharge of its statutory authority without discrimination based on any person's race, creed, sex, religion, national origin, geographical distribution, age, physical condition or economic status.

(f)   Impartiality. Any advisory committee member who is unable to be impartial in any proceeding before the advisory committee such as that pertaining to an applicant's eligibility for licensure or a complaint against or a violation by a licensee, shall so declare this to the advisory committee and shall not participate in any advisory committee proceedings involving that individual.

(g)   Attendance. The policy of the advisory committee is that members will attend regular committee meetings as scheduled, except that absence from 3 regular meetings, without acceptable reasons, constitutes self-removal from the committee.

(h)   Rules of order. Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the basis of parliamentary decisions except where otherwise provided by this section.

(i)   Agendas. The executive secretary shall prepare and submit to each member of the advisory committee prior to each meeting an agenda which includes items requested by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or by members of the advisory committee, items required by law, old business, and other matters of Board business which have been approved by any committee members.

(j)   Minutes.

(1)   Drafts of the minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to each member of the advisory committee for review and approval.

(2)   The official minutes of advisory committee meetings shall be kept in the office of the executive secretary and shall be available to any person desiring to examine them during regular office hours of the Board.

(k)   Official records.

(1)   All official records of the advisory committee including application materials, except files containing investigative information shall be open for inspection during regular office hours of the Board.

(2)   A person desiring to examine official records shall be required to identify himself/herself and sign statements listing the records requested and examined.

(3)   Official records may not be taken from the Board offices, however, persons may obtain photocopies of files uponwritten request and by paying the cost per page set by theBoard. Payment shall be made prior to release of the records and may be made by personal check.

(l)   Elections.

(1)   At the meeting held nearest after July 1 of each year, the advisory committee shall elect by a majority vote of those members present a chairperson and vice-chairpersonproviding that no person shall, following one full year of service in any specific office, succeed himself/herself in the same office.

(2)   A vacancy which occurs in the offices of chairperson and vice-chairperson may be filled by a majority vote of those members present and voting at the next advisory committee meeting.

(m)   Committees.

(1)   The advisory committee with the approval of the Board may establish sub-committees as deemed necessary to assist the advisory committee in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

(2)   The chairperson may appoint the members of the advisory committee to serve on sub-committees and may designate the sub-committee chairperson.

(3)   The chairperson of the advisory committee may appoint non-advisory committee members to serve as sub-committee members on a consultant or voluntary basis subject to Board approval.

(4)   Sub-committee chairperson shall make regular reports to the advisory committee in interim written reports and/or at regular meetings, as needed.

(5)   Committees and sub-committees shall direct all reports or other materials to the executive secretary for distribution.

(6)   Sub-committees shall meet when called by the chairperson of the sub-committee or when so directed by the advisory committee.