(a) The appointing authorities for state health-related agencies, boards, and commissions shall consider appointment recommendations submitted by minority health-related professional associations.
(b) The recommending organizations under this section include without limitation:
(1) The Arkansas Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association;
(2) The Arkansas Metro Association of Black Social Workers;
(3) The Arkansas Black Nurses Association;
(4) The National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Arkansas Chapter;
(5) The National Pharmacists Association of Arkansas; and
(6) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
(c) Recommendations for appointments under this section shall:
(1) Be submitted to the appointing authorities at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of a position in a state health-related agency, board, or commission relevant to the field or practice of the recommending body;
(2) Be submitted to the appointing authorities anytime before the appointing authority fills a position that has opened due to resignation or removal before the end of the originally appointed term;
(3) Be submitted by an officially designated officer or committee on behalf of the recommending organization; and
(4) Include correspondence on official organizational letterhead and the resume or curriculum vitae of a recommended candidate.
(d) If a recommendation for appointment under subsection (b) of this section is not received within the time allotted for the appointment, the appointing authority may make the appointment without a recommendation.
(e) The health-related agencies, boards, and commissions for which recommendations may be considered under this section include the:
(1) Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine;
(2) Arkansas Psychology Board;
(3) Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board;
(4) Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;
(5) Arkansas State Medical Board;
(6) Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy;
(7) Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; and
(8) State Board of Optometry.
(f) This section does not change or affect any existing delineations for minority appointments.
Section: 17-80-302Last modified: November 15, 2016