Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Adds one dental assistant to membership of New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, amending R.S.45:6-1 and repealing section 10 of P.L.2007, c.259.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.45:6-1 is amended as follows:
45:6-1. The State Board of Registration and Examination in Dentistry in the Division of Professional Boards of the Department of Law and Public Safety, hereinafter in this chapter designated as the "board," created and established by an act entitled "An act to regulate the practice of dentistry in the State of New Jersey, and to repeal certain acts now relating to the same," approved March 31, 1915 (L.1915, c. 146, p. 261), as amended and supplemented, is continued, and shall hereafter be known and designated as the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry. Wherever in any law, rule, regulation, judicial or administrative proceeding or otherwise, reference is made to the State Board of Registration and Examination in Dentistry, the same shall mean and refer to the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.
In addition to two public members, the board shall consist of [nine] eleven members, [eight] nine of whom shall have resided and practiced dentistry in this State for at least 10 years each immediately preceding their appointments [and], one of whom shall be a dental hygienist, who has, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree, and has resided and practiced in this State for at least 10 years immediately preceding appointment, and one of whom shall be a dental assistant who has, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree, and has resided and been employed in this State for at least 10 years immediately preceding appointment, appointed by the Governor for a term of 4 years. In appointing [such] any dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant, the Governor shall give due consideration to, but shall not be bound by, the recommendation of the New Jersey Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental [Hygienists] Hygienists’ Association, and the New Jersey Dental Assistants Association, as applicable. Upon the expiration of the term of office of any member, his successor shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to the provisions of [section 45:1-2 of this Title, for a term of 4 years, except that the successors of the members whose terms will expire on June 4, 1949, shall be appointed each for a term expiring on August 31, 1952; the successors of the members whose terms will expire on November 9, 1949, and January 7, 1950, respectively, shall be appointed each for a term expiring on August 31, 1953; the successors of the members whose terms will expire on July 31, 1950, and October 8, 1950, respectively, shall be appointed each for a term expiring on August 31, 1954; and the successors of the members whose terms will expire on July 30, 1951, and November 4, 1951, respectively, shall be appointed each for a term expiring on August 31, 1955] P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1 et seq.). Each member shall hold his office until his successor is appointed and qualifies. Any vacancy in the membership of the board, occurring from any cause, shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term only. Upon cause being shown before him, the Governor may remove a member from office upon proven charges of inefficiency, incompetency, immorality or professional misconduct.
(cf: P.L.1979, c.46, s.22)
2. P.L.2007, c.259, s.10 (C.45:6-1a) is repealed.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry currently consists of two public members, nine members who have resided and practiced dentistry within this State for 10 years, and one member who is a dental hygienist. This bill adds one dental assistant to the membership of the board and clarifies the qualifications for both the assistant and hygienist members. Additionally, the bill adds language to state that the Governor is to consider, but not be obligated to follow, the recommendations of the New Jersey Dental Association nor the New Jersey Dental Assistants Association when appointing a dentist or the dental assistant to the board. The 4-year term for board members is retained under the bill.
This bill also makes technical changes to the statutes. It repeals section 10 of P.L.2007, c.259 and amends R.S.45:6-1 to include those 2007 provisions regarding the addition of another dentist to the board’s membership; removes an obsolete provision concerning membership succession; and updates certain organization and statutory references.