HB293INTRODUCED
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HB293
AVG1SSQ-1
By Representatives Rafferty, Wilcox
RFD: Boards, Agencies and Commissions
First Read: 18-Feb-25
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5 AVG1SSQ-1 01/09/2025 ZAK (L)ma 2024-3291
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First Read: 18-Feb-25
SYNOPSIS:
The Alabama Open Meetings Act provides certain
requirements for meetings of governmental bodies. Under
the law, certain governmental bodies may meet by
electronic participation subject to certain
restrictions.
This bill would exempt the State Board of
Genetic Counseling from the Alabama Open Meetings Act's
restrictions governing electronic participation in
meetings.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to State Board of Genetic Counseling; to amend
Section 34-13A-3, Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize board
members to participate in meetings via electronic equipment
notwithstanding the restrictions in the Alabama Open Meetings
Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 34-13A-3, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§34-13A-3
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"§34-13A-3
(a) The State Board of Genetic Counseling is created to
implement and administer this chapter.
(b) The membership of the board shall consist of all of
the following:
(1) One individual appointed by the Department of
Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
(2) Four individuals who practice genetic counseling in
Alabama and who hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in
genetic counseling from an ACGC or ABMGG accredited training
program, or an equivalent program approved by the ACGC or the
ABMGG, appointed by the Governor.
(3) One physician appointed by the Medical Association
of the State of Alabama.
(4) One physician appointed by the State Board of
Medical Examiners.
(5) One physician who specializes in pediatric genetics
appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(6) One physician appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives.
(c) Board members appointed by the Governor shall serve
for terms of two years and, upon the expiration of a term, may
continue to serve until replaced or reappointed. All other
board members shall serve until they are replaced by their
respective appointing authority.
(d) The board shall annually elect from its membership
a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.
(e) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their
appointments to assure the board membership is inclusive and
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appointments to assure the board membership is inclusive and
reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and
economic diversity of this state.
(f) Unless acting unreasonably or in bad faith, no
member of the board shall be civilly liable for acting within
the scope of his or her duties as a board member.
(g) Members of the board shall serve without
compensation but, to the extent funds are available, may
receive the same per diem and travel allowance as state
employees.
(h)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2)
Notwithstanding the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Chapter 25A of
Title 36, all members of the board may participate in a
regular any meeting of the board by means of telephone
conference, video conference, or similar communications
equipment pursuant to the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Chapter
25A of Title 36.
(2) Members of the board may only participate in a
meeting of the board relating to a disciplinary action in
person."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.
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