§ 5-71-4 - Board of examiners – Creation – Compensation – Appointment, terms and qualifications of members.
SECTION 5-71-4
§ 5-71-4 Board of examiners –Creation – Compensation – Appointment, terms and qualifications ofmembers. – (a) There shall exist within the state department of health a board ofexaminers of interpreters for the deaf. The board shall consist of nine (9)persons who shall be residents of the state of Rhode Island for at least two(2) years prior to their appointments: two (2) nationally certifiedinterpreters, one screened interpreter, one interpreter eligible under §5-71-12, three (3) consumers, one special license holder and one consumer ofspecialized communication modalities as defined in § 5-71-3. The certifiedmembers shall hold certification from the National Registry of Interpreters forthe Deaf, and hold an active and valid license in this state, except for thefirst appointed members who shall be persons engaged in rendering interpretingservices for a period of at least five (5) years, and are qualified for licenseunder the provisions of this chapter. The screened member shall hold validscreening from a recognized state-screening, and shall hold an active and validlicense in this state, except for the first appointed member who shall be aperson who has been engaged in rendering interpreting services for a period ofat least five (5) years, and is qualified for license under the provisions ofthis chapter. The special licensed member shall have expertise in one of thecommunication modalities defined in § 5-71-3(7), or another specializedcommunication modality.
(b) All appointments made under this section after theeffective date of this act [March 29, 2006] shall be made by thegovernor with the advice and consent of the senate. All members shall serveterms of three (3) years. Members shall serve until the expiration of the termfor which they have been appointed or until their successor is appointed. Noperson shall be appointed to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. When avacancy upon the board occurs, a replacement shall be appointed for theremainder of that term as prescribed in this section.
(c) The board shall reorganize annually during the month ofDecember and shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for the subsequentcalendar year. The board may elect from among its members such other officersas it deems necessary.
(d) Five (5) members of the board shall constitute a quorumto do business. A majority vote of those present shall be required for action.
(e) Members of the board shall be removable by the governorpursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for causeonly, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacityor fitness for the office shall be unlawful.