compensation. (Repealed effective July 1, 2028.) A. There is created the “counseling and therapy practice board”. The board is administratively attached to the department.

B. The board consists of seven members who are United States citizens, have been New Mexico residents for at least five years prior to their appointment and maintain New Mexico residency during their appointment. Of the seven members:

(1)     five members shall be professional members, who shall be a professional mental health counselor, a professional clinical mental health counselor, a marriage and family therapist, a professional art therapist and an alcohol and drug abuse counselor, licensed under the Counseling and Therapy Practice Act and shall have engaged in a counselor and therapist practice for at least five years. The professional mental health counselor shall also represent the registered independent and licensed mental health counselors; and

(2)     two members shall represent the public. The public members shall not have been licensed or have practiced as counselor or therapist practitioners or in any other regulated mental health profession, nor have any significant financial interest, either direct or indirect, in the professions regulated.

C. Members of the board shall be appointed by the governor for staggered terms of four years. A member shall hold office until a successor is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments. No appointee shall serve more than two terms.

D. The governor may appoint professional board members from a list of nominees submitted by qualified individuals and organizations, including the New Mexico counseling association, the New Mexico association for marriage and family therapy, the New Mexico art therapy association and the alcohol and drug directors association.

E. Members of the board shall be reimbursed as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-8-1 to 10-8-8 and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

F. The board shall elect annually from its membership a chair and a secretary and other officers as necessary to carry out its duties.

G. The board shall meet once a year and at other times deemed necessary. Other meetings may be called by the chair upon the written request of three members of the board. A simple majority of the board members shall constitute a quorum of the board.

H. Any member failing to attend three meetings after proper notice shall be automatically recommended for removal as a board member, unless excused by the board chair for one of the following reasons:

(1)     extenuating circumstances beyond the member’s control, including illness; (2)     prearranged activities out of town; or

(3)     other severe circumstances that do not allow a member to attend.