(a) One or more wellness evaluation committees is hereby authorized to be established by the board. Each wellness evaluation committee shall be composed of five persons appointed by the board. The board, in making its appointments, shall give consideration to recommendations of state and local associations and shall consider, among others, where appropriate, the appointment of individuals who have recovered from impairment or who have knowledge and expertise in the management of impairment.

(b) Each wellness evaluation committee shall have the following composition:

(1) At least one veterinarian licensed under this chapter.

(2) At least two public members.

(3) At least one registered veterinary technician registered under this chapter.

(c) Each person appointed to a wellness evaluation committee shall have experience or knowledge in the evaluation or management of persons who are impaired due to alcohol or drug abuse.

(d) It shall require the majority vote of the board to appoint a person to a wellness evaluation committee. Each appointment shall be at the pleasure of the board for a term not to exceed four years. In its discretion the board may stagger the terms of the initial members appointed.

(e) The board president may suspend any wellness evaluation committee member pending an investigation into allegations of existing alcohol or drug addiction. If, after investigation, there is evidence of an alcohol or drug addiction relapse, the board president shall have authorized discretion to remove the member without input from the board.

(f) The board may appoint a program director and other personnel as necessary to carry out this article.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 57. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024.)