"An Act to Amend Chapters 65 and 66 of Title 33 of the Public Health Law of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised and to Grant Autonomy to the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery in the Republic of Liberia"

65.7 Nursing and Midwifery Board

1. Establishment of the Board
   There shall be established a Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board which shall be autonomous and separate from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
   
   
2. Powers of the Board
   The Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board is a legal statutory body with its own seal and insignias and identifying signals that distinguish it from other bodies. in the performance of its functions, the Board shall have the capacity and authority to:
   
   1. Enter into contracts for the performance and enhancement of its works including borrowing money in line with the Public Financial Management Act and soliciting grants as may be needed for the achievement of its statutory mandate and for its operations and related purposes;
      
      
   2. hold, purchase, or otherwise acquire, secure, charge, dispose of or alienate movable or immovable property, in the course of and in furtherance of its functions and mandate;
      
      
   3. Sue and be sued in its name;
      
      
   4. Create regulations, policies, and methods of punishment to regulate the practice of nursing and midwifery;
      
      
   5. Control, supervise and administer the assets and funds of the Board in such manner and for such purposes as best supports the purpose for which the Board was established;
      
      
   6. Receive grants, gifts, donations, or endowments in furtherance of the betterment of the practice of nursing and midwifery;
      
      
   7. Establish standing and ad hoc committees for the smooth operation of the Board;
      
      
   8. The Board shall upon its sitting appoint a full Executive Secretary who shall be head of the Secretarial to the Board.
      
      
   9. Engage in any activity relating to the practice of nursing midwifery.
      
      
3. Functions of the Board:
   The Board shall register all persons engaging in, or desiring to engage in, the practice of nursing and midwifery.
   
   
4. Composition and Tenure of Board:
   The Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board shall be appointed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare upon the recommendation of professional nursing and midwifery institutions and be composed of not less than 13 and not more than 17 members and shall comprise of:
   
   
   1. One advanced practice Nurse (RNM, Ophthalmic Nurse, Anesthetic etc.)
   2. One Registered Nurse who is not from an advance practice
   3. One Certified/Registered Midwife
   4. One faculty member from a nursing school offering Bachelor's degree
   5. One faculty member from a nursing school offering an Associate degree
   6. One faculty member from a nursing school offering a diploma in nursing
   7. One faculty member from a nursing school offering a certificate in miwifery
   8. One Licensed practice Nurse
   9. One Representative from the Liberian Nursing Association
   10. The Chief Nursing officer of the Republic of Liberia
   11. The Chief Nursing officer of the Liberian Midwives Council
   12. One Chairperson of the West African College of Nursing
   13. A Legal Advisor (Ex-Officio)
       
       The legal advisor shall have no voting powers. Board member shall serve a term of 4 years and shall be reinstated if members of her or his organization or the Board so desires. However, a Board member cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.
       A chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected by membership of the Board. 
       
       
5. Qualifications of Board Members:
   Each person appointed to the Board as a licensed professional nurse/midwife shall be a citizen of Liberia and must have all of these additional qualifications:
   1. Be a graduate of a state-approved educational nursing/ midwifery program in Liberia.
   2. Be currently licensed.
   3. Have a minimum of five years successful nursing/midwifery experience in an administrative
   4. Be actively engaged in professional nursing/midwifery in Liberia immediately preceding and during appointment.
   5. A person is eligible for appointment to the Board so long as the person does not own, control, or manage a business entity which provides health services.
      
      
6. Rules and Regulations
   The Board shall make such rules and regulations as are necessary to regulate its profession, and to carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall formulate by-laws to govern its functions.