(a) The Secretary of State shall appoint two respiratory care practitioners to serve as advisors in matters relating to respiratory care. They shall be appointed for staggered five-year terms and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. One of the initial appointments shall be for less than a five-year term.

(b) Each appointee shall have at least three years of experience as a respiratory care practitioner during the period immediately preceding appointment and shall be actively practicing respiratory care in Vermont and remain in good standing during incumbency.

(c) The Director shall seek the advice of the respiratory care practitioners appointed under this section in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. These appointees shall be entitled to compensation and necessary expenses in the amounts provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for attendance at any meeting called by the Director for this purpose. (Added 2003, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2005, No. 27, § 114.)