SECTION 1.  Section 11A of Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the word “eleven” and replacing it with the word “eight”.

SECTION 2.  Section 11A of Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the words:-

“two of such members shall be physical therapists licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section twenty-three B; one such member shall be a physical therapist assistant licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section twenty-three B; except that such members constituting the first board shall be persons who are eligible for licensing as practitioners of said allied health profession.”

SECTION 3.  Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 109.  Board of registration of physical therapy; membership; appointment; term

(a) There shall be within the division of professional licensure a board of registration in physical therapy. The board shall consist of nine (9) members who shall be appointed by the governor for terms of three (3) years. The members appointed shall be residents of the commonwealth, four (4) of whom shall be physical therapists licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 23B of chapter 112 and who shall have been actively engaged in the practice of physical therapy for at least seven years; two (2) of whom shall be physical therapists licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section 23B who are educators of physical therapy and are on the faculty of a college or university situated in the Commonwealth; two (2) of whom shall be physical therapist assistants licensed in accordance with the provisions of said section 23B; and one (1) of whom shall be a consumer.

Of the initial members appointed to the board, serving terms of three (3) years will be two (2) physical therapists, one (1) physical therapist assistant and one (1) physical therapy educator.  Those serving terms of two (2) years will be one (1) physical therapist, one (1) physical therapist assistant, one (1) physical therapy educator and the consumer member. Serving a term of one (1) year will be one (1) physical therapist. Terms of reappointment shall be for a term of three (3) years. Each member of the board shall hold office until his successor has been appointed. A vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment.

Members shall be appointed for a term of three years. No member shall be appointed to more than two consecutive full terms; provided, however, that a member appointed for less than a full term may serve two full terms in addition to such part of a full term and a former member shall again be eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance or misfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against him and sufficient opportunity to be heard thereon.

Said board shall elect its chairperson annually and shall meet twice annually at the call of such chairperson or upon the request of the majority of the board. A quorum shall consist of at least five members present. Board members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The board shall meet at least four times annually.