2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 12 - Physiotherapists (§§ 241 — 256) › § 243 - Board of Physical Therapy—Establishment

A Board of Physical Therapy is hereby established, to be composed of seven (7) members, to wit: four (4) physiotherapists and the Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the person on whom he may delegate, and two (2) assistant physical therapists. The four (4) physiotherapists and the two (2) assistant therapists shall be designated and appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The four (4) physiotherapists appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico shall be of legal age, citizens of the United States of America, residents of Puerto Rico, shall have been in active practice of their profession in Puerto Rico for a period of at least five (5) years and, likewise, be in active practice of their profession at the time of their appointment.
The two (2) assistant physical therapists appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico shall be citizens of the United States of America, residents of Puerto Rico and shall have obtained an associate degree in physical therapy granted by the University of Puerto Rico.
The physical therapists on the Board shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. The Secretary of Health shall be a permanent member of the Board. The appointment of the two (2) assistant physical therapists shall be for a term of four (4) years.
Should a vacancy arise, the person designated by the Governor of Puerto Rico shall meet the same requirements previously established in this section. Appointments to cover vacancies arising for reasons other than the expiration of the term established by law shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Board shall be chaired by the Secretary of Health. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Board shall be the officials designated by the Secretary of Health, in accordance with §§ 241—249 of this title. The members of the Board shall be entitled to per diems of fifty dollars ($50) for each day or fraction thereof in which they render services to the Board, and traveling expenses per mile traveled as prescribed in the regulations of the Department of the Treasury. As of January 1, 1997, the members of the Board shall receive per diems equal to the minimum per diem established in § 29 of Title 2 for the members of the Legislature for their attendance [at] sessions or committee meetings for each session, special meeting or any meeting held by a committee or other entity, or for the performance of any endeavor authorized by the Chairperson of the Board to which they attend, except for those members who are heads of agencies of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its instrumentalities, with the exception of the Chairperson of the Board, who shall receive a per diem equal to one hundred and thirty-three percent (133%) of the per diem received by the other members of the Board.
The Governor of Puerto Rico may remove any member of the Board after due notice and hearing, for unethical professional behavior, violations of this chapter, misconduct or negligence in the performance of the duties of his/her office.
History —June 29, 1962, No. 114, p. 337, § 3; Apr. 10, 1963, No. 5, p. 9; May 28, 1970, No. 41, p. 97, § 1; May 30, 1976, No. 79, p. 245, § 1; July 12, 1979, No. 100, p. 242; June 29, 1995, No. 63, § 1; Aug. 4, 1996, No. 99, § 1, eff. 60 days after Aug. 4, 1996.