(a) The Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing shall consist of 17 members who shall be responsible for the policies and management of the commission. The membership shall consist of the following:

(1) Five ex officio members, the administrative head, or a designee, of (A) vocational rehabilitation services, (B) social services, (C) the department of health and environment, (D) the state board of education, and (E) the state school for the deaf.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2) Twelve members appointed by the governor as follows: Six members who are deaf or hard of hearing persons, one of whom shall be representative of the Kansas association of the deaf; one member who is a speech language pathologist; one member from the state registry of interpreters for the deaf; one member who is a psychologist, nurse, teacher, rehabilitation counselor or social worker serving the deaf or hard of hearing; one member who is not deaf or hard of hearing and who is the parent of a deaf or hard of hearing person; one member who is a clinical audiologist; and one member who is a board-certified otolaryngologist.

(b) The members who were appointed by the governor and who are serving on the commission on the effective date of this act shall be reappointed as members of the commission on the effective date of this act in accordance with the following: Four members for a term of one year, four members for a term of two years, and four members for a term of three years, as designated by the governor. Thereafter members appointed by the governor shall serve on the commission for terms of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. In filling vacancies in the membership of the commission, the governor shall give preference to deaf or hard of hearing persons qualified to fill such vacancies. Upon a vacancy in an appointive position in the membership of the commission, the commission itself and the Kansas association of the deaf may each submit to the governor a list of deaf or hard of hearing persons deemed qualified to fill such vacancy, and the governor may fill such vacancy from among the persons on such lists.

(c) Any appointive position in the membership of the commission which becomes vacant prior to the expiration of a full term shall be filled only for the period of the unexpired term.

(d) The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson annually. The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson, but no less than four times a year. The members shall elect other officers as deemed necessary, set duties of officers, and set procedures for conducting their meetings for the purposes designated in this act. A simple majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

(e) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services. Ex officio members of the commission shall receive travel expenses and subsistence expenses or allowances as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3212, and amendments thereto, which shall be paid by the respective departments of such members. Appointed members of the commission shall receive travel expenses and subsistence expenses or allowances for attendance at meetings of the commission authorized by the chairperson or the commission as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-3212, and amendments thereto.