(1) The appointing authorities for state health-related agencies, boards, and commissions shall consider appointment recommendations submitted by minority health-related professional associations.
(2) The recommending organizations under this section include without limitation: The Arkansas Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association;
(3) The Arkansas Association of Black Social Workers, Inc.;
(4) The Arkansas Black Nurses Association;
(5) The National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Arkansas Chapter;
(6) The National Pharmacists Association of Arkansas; and
(7) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
(8) Recommendations for appointments under this section shall: Be submitted to the appointing authorities at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of a position in a state health-related agency, board, or commission relevant to the field or practice of the recommending body;
(9) Be submitted to the appointing authorities anytime before the appointing authority fills a position that has opened due to resignation or removal before the end of the originally appointed term;
(10) Be submitted by an officially designated officer or committee on behalf of the recommending organization; and
(11) Include correspondence on official organizational letterhead and the resume or curriculum vitae of a recommended candidate.
(12) If a recommendation for appointment under subsection (b) of this section is not received within the time allotted for the appointment, the appointing authority may make the appointment without a recommendation.
(13) The health-related agencies, boards, and commissions for which recommendations may be considered under this section include the: Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine;
(14) Arkansas Psychology Board;
(15) Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board;
(16) Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners;
(17) Arkansas State Medical Board;
(18) Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy;
(19) Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; and
(20) State Board of Optometry.
(21) This section does not change or affect any existing delineations for minority appointments.