§ 2896-a. Board of examiners of nursing home administrators. 1. There shall be within the department a board of examiners of nursing home administrators consisting of thirteen members appointed by the commissioner, all of whom shall be citizens of the United States and residents of the state of New York. The board shall be composed of one physician, one hospital administrator, one professional registered nurse, three nursing home administrators employed in proprietary nursing homes and three nursing home administrators employed in voluntary nursing homes, each of whom shall have not less than five years' experience in the care of chronically ill or infirm aged patients. Three members shall be representative of the public and one member shall be appointed from a college providing training for nursing home administrators. A member's term shall expire upon a change of status. Each member appointed from a profession requiring licensure or registration to practice in the state shall be licensed or registered except for those nursing home administrators first appointed to the board who shall be required only to possess the qualifications and be eligible for licensure as required by this article.

2. The term of office of the members shall be three years; provided however, that of the members first appointed, three shall be appointed for a term which shall expire on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-one; four for a term which shall expire on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-two; and four for a term which shall expire on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-three; and provided however, that of the members first appointed on the expansion of the board to thirteen members, one shall be appointed for a term which shall expire on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-four; and one for a term which shall expire on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred seventy-six. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Before entering upon his term of office every board member shall file with the secretary of state the constitutional oath of office. Vacancies in the membership of the board, however created, shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment by the commissioner for the unexpired term. Any member may be removed by the commissioner for misconduct, incapacity, incompetence, or neglect of duty.

3. Each member of the board shall receive a per diem allowance as determined by the commissioner for the time spent in the performance of his official duties and shall be reimbursed for all proper traveling and incidental expenses in carrying out the provisions of this article.

4. The commissioner shall designate an officer or employee of the department to act as secretary to the board, who shall not be a member of the board.

5. The board at its first meeting to be held within thirty days after appointment, and annually thereafter at its first meeting in each year, shall organize and elect from its members a chairman.

6. The board, for the purpose of transacting its business, shall meet at least once every six months at times and places designated by resolution. Special meetings also may be held at such times as the board may elect, or on the call of the commissioner. A written notice of the time, place and purpose of any special meeting shall be mailed by the secretary to all members of the board at least fifteen days before the date of the meeting.

7. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting.

8. The commissioner shall establish an advisory council, broadly representative of the health professions and the public, to provide such technical assistance as the board or the commissioner shall request. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.