74-1704. Officers; terms; salary and expenses of secretary; seal; administration of oaths; issuance of subpoenas; employment of agents, attorneys and an investigator-inspector; rules and regulations; meetings. The board shall annually elect a president and vice-president from the members of said board. The vice-president shall act for the president when the president is absent or unable to act. Said officers shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. The board shall also elect a secretary, who shall serve for four (4) years, unless removed for cause, and such secretary shall be the executive officer of said board, but not a member thereof. The secretary shall receive such salary as may be fixed by the board, which shall not be in excess of just compensation for the duties required, and in addition thereto all necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of the duties of said office. The board shall adopt a common seal. The president of said board is hereby authorized to administer oaths to witnesses testifying before said board. In order to carry out the provisions of this act said board shall have the authority to issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of any papers, books, accounts, documents and testimony, and to cause the deposition of witnesses, either residing within or without the state, to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for taking depositions in civil actions in the district courts.

The board shall employ an investigator-inspector. Such employee shall perform all inspections and conduct the investigative duties of the board and shall be within the classified service of the Kansas civil service act. Upon presentation of proper credentials the investigator-inspector shall have the authority to enter into and inspect any funeral establishment, as said term is defined in K.S.A. 65-1713a, at any reasonable time.

The board shall also have power to employ such agents and attorneys as it may deem necessary for the performance of the work of the board, and may allow them reasonable compensation and their actual necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. It shall also have power to make reasonable rules and regulations establishing ethical standards and practices for embalming and funeral directing, provided the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act. Said board shall meet quarterly and may meet as often as the proper and efficient discharge of its duties shall require, but at no time shall the board contract in excess of the amount of its funds on hand.

History: L. 1907, ch. 387, § 4; L. 1909, ch. 225, § 2; R.S. 1923, 74-1704; L. 1927, ch. 291, § 3; L. 1941, ch. 297, § 2; L. 1967, ch. 434, § 29; L. 1979, ch. 188, § 16; L. 2004, ch. 57, § 5; July 1.