(a) The Acupuncture Advisory Council (Council) consists of 5 voting members, and 1 ex officio member. The 5 voting members shall consist of 1 physician member of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline who possesses knowledge of acupuncture and 4 Council members licensed and trained in acupuncture or acupuncture and eastern medicine who have been primarily employed in the practice of acupuncture or acupuncture and eastern medicine in this State for at least 3 years immediately prior to appointment. The ex officio member shall be a Delaware physician who has expertise in acupuncture or acupuncture and eastern medicine. The Council may elect officers as necessary.
(b) Each Council member is appointed by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline for a term of 3 years, and may succeed himself or herself for 1 additional 3-year term. A person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Council is entitled to hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the former member. Each term of office expires on the date specified in the appointment; however, a Council member whose term of office has expired remains eligible to participate in Council proceedings until replaced by the Board. A person who has never served on the Council may be appointed to the Council for 2 consecutive terms, but the person is thereafter ineligible for appointment to the Council except as hereinafter provided. A person who has been twice appointed to the Council or who has served on the Council for 6 years within any 9-year period may not again be appointed to the Council until an interim period of at least 1 year has expired since the person last served. A member, other than the ex officio member, serving on the Council may not be an elected officer or a member of the board of directors of any professional association of acupuncture practitioners. The members of the Council are compensated at an appropriate and reasonable level as determined by the Division and may be reimbursed for meeting-related travel expenses at the State's current approved rate.
(c) The Council shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the practice of acupuncture and eastern medicine, after public hearing and subject to the approval of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The Board must approve or reject within a reasonable amount of time proposed rules or regulations submitted to it by the Council.
(d) The Council shall meet quarterly, and at such other times as license applications are pending. The Council shall present to the Board the names of individuals qualified to be licensed and shall recommend disciplinary action against licensees as necessary, and shall suggest changes in operations or regulations. The Board shall approve or reject these recommendations within a reasonable time period.