Section 34-43-6

Section 34-43-6Alabama Board of Massage Therapy.

(a) There is created the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy. The purpose of the board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by ensuring that licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and massage therapy instructors meet prescribed standards of education, competency, and practice. To accomplish this mission, the board shall establish standards pursuant to this chapter to complete all board functions in a timely and effective manner and to provide open and immediate access to all relevant public information. The board shall communicate its responsibilities and services to the public as part of its consumer protection duties. The board shall develop and implement a long range plan to ensure effective regulation and consumer protection.



(b) The board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. No member of the board shall serve more than two full consecutive terms. The members initially appointed to the board shall be appointed not later than July 16, 1996. Five of the members initially appointed to the board shall have been actively engaged in the practice of massage therapy for not less than three consecutive years prior to the date of their appointment to the board. Successor members to these initial five appointees shall be licensees of the board. Two members shall be public members who shall not be licensed, nor have been licensed in the past, and shall not have any direct financial interest in the massage therapy profession. Each board member shall be a high school graduate or shall have received a graduate equivalency diploma. Each board member shall be selected upon personal merit and qualifications, not per membership or affiliation with an association. Each board member shall be a citizen of the United States and this state and a resident of this state for two years immediately preceding the appointment. The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state. As the terms of members serving on April 28, 2011, expire, or as vacancies occur, new members shall be appointed so that not more than one member from each United States Congressional District is appointed to serve at the same time.



(c) Of the initial seven appointees to the board, three members shall be appointed for terms ending September 30, 1997, and four members shall be appointed for terms ending September 30, 1999. Thereafter, successors shall be appointed for terms of four years, each term expiring on September 30.



(d) Vacancies on the board occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled by the Governor within 30 days of the vacancy to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Each member of the board shall serve until his or her successor has been duly appointed and qualified.



(e) At the first meeting, and annually thereafter in the month of October, the board shall elect a chair and vice chair from its membership.



(f) The board shall hold its first meeting within 30 days after the initial members are appointed. The board shall hold meetings during the year as it determines necessary, two of which shall be the biannual meetings for the purpose of reviewing license applications. Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the chair or upon written request of any three members of the board. A quorum of the board shall be a majority of the current appointed board members.



(g) Board members shall not receive compensation for their services, but shall receive the same per diem and allowance as provided to state employees for each day the board meets and conducts business.



(h) The board shall promulgate the rules necessary to implement this chapter pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.



(i) The board may employ, and at its pleasure discharge, an executive secretary and other officers and employees which may be necessary, including an attorney, to implement this chapter. The board shall also outline the duties and fix the compensation and expense allowances of the employees.



(j) An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board shall be required to grant, suspend, or revoke a license to practice massage therapy or a license to operate a massage therapy establishment.



(k) The board shall be financed only from income accruing to it from fees, licenses, other charges and funds collected by it, and any monies that are appropriated to it by the Legislature.



(l) Each board member shall be accountable to the Governor for the proper performance of his or her duties as a member of the board. The board shall report to the Governor annually and at other times as requested by the Governor. The Governor shall investigate any complaints or unfavorable reports concerning the actions of the board and take appropriate action thereon, including removal of any board member for misfeasance, malfeasance, neglect of duty, commission of a felony, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties. A board member may be removed at the request of the board after failing to attend two consecutive properly noticed meetings.



(m) Members of the board are immune from liability for all good faith acts performed in the execution of their duties as members of the board.



(n) Appointees to the board shall take the constitutional oath of office and file it in the office of the Governor before undertaking any duties as a board member. Upon receiving the oath, the Governor shall issue a certificate of appointment to each appointee.

(Acts 1996, No. 96-661, p. 1060, §6; Act 2000-704, p. 1430, §1; Act 2007-201, p. 242, §3; Act 2011-169, p. 324, §3.)