(a)  Within the division of professional regulation of the department of health, there shall be a state board of chiropractic examiners to be appointed by the director of the department of health with the approval of the governor. The board shall consist of five (5) members who are certified electors in this state, to be appointed to terms of three (3) years each. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms. Three (3) members shall be chiropractic physicians licensed to practice in the state of Rhode Island, and two (2) members shall be representatives of the general public.

(b)  The current members of the board as provided for in chapter 26 of this title shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms. One additional chiropractic physician and the public members shall be appointed for initial terms to expire on June 30, 2002.

(c)  At the expiration of the terms, the director, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint, at that time, and every three (3) years thereafter, qualified persons for a term of three (3) years. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of any member, the director of the department of health, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint to vacancies, as they occur, a qualified person to serve on the board for the remainder of the term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(d)  The director of the department of health may remove any member of the board for neglect of any duty required by law or for any incompetent, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment is made for the remainder of the term. Before beginning his or her term of office, each member shall take the oath prescribed by law for state officers, a record of which shall be filed with the secretary of state.