(a) Establishment of the board.--There is hereby created within the department a departmental administrative board to be known as the State Board of Private Licensed Schools. The board shall consist of 15 members, 14 of whom shall be appointed by the secretary. Three members shall represent private licensed schools providing instruction in business and commercial pursuits, three members shall represent private licensed schools providing instruction in trades or technologies, three members shall represent private licensed schools providing distance education or home-study instruction and five members shall be representative of the general public having no current affiliation with private licensed schools. The Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General, or a designee, shall serve ex officio and shall have voting rights. After the initial appointments, all terms shall be for four years or until a successor has been appointed, but in no event shall a member hold office for longer than six months beyond expiration of the term. No board member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term.

(b) Quorum.--Eight members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall select annually a chairperson from among its private licensed school and public members.

(c) Administrative support.--Administrative support for the board shall be provided by the department in accordance with section 214 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L. 177, No. 175),¹ known as The Administrative Code of 1929. The department should periodically consult with the board regarding its administrative needs.

(d) Compensation and expenses.--Members of the board, except the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection or a designee, shall receive $60 per diem for each day actually devoted to work of the board. The members shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel, hotel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Commonwealth regulations.

(e) Forfeiture of membership.--A member who fails to attend three consecutive board meetings shall forfeit membership on the board unless the secretary, upon written request from the member, determines that the member should be excused from a meeting or meetings for reasons of illness or death of a family member.

(f) Meetings and records.--The board shall meet at such times and places as it shall determine is necessary for the proper conduct of its work. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or at the request of a majority of the members of the board dependent upon the availability of funds to cover costs. Board records and administrative records for private licensed schools shall be maintained in Harrisburg.

(g) Documents.--Certificates of licensure and other official documents approved by the board shall be issued by the department.