1.This Act may be cited as the
National Academies of Practice
Recognition Act of 2005
.
2.The National Academies of Practice organized
and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, is hereby
recognized as such and is granted a Federal charter.
3.The National Academies
of Practice (referred to in this Act as the corporation
) shall
have only those powers granted to it through its bylaws and articles of
incorporation filed in the State in which it is incorporated and subject to the
laws of such State.
4.Objectives and
purposes of the corporationThe objectives and purposes for which the
corporation is organized shall be provided for in the articles of incorporation
and shall include the following:
(1)Honoring persons
who have made significant contributions to the practice of applied dentistry,
medicine, nursing, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, podiatry, psychology,
social work, veterinary medicine, and other health care professions.
(2)Improving the
effectiveness of such professions by disseminating information about new
techniques and procedures, promoting interdisciplinary practices, and
stimulating multidisciplinary exchange of scientific and professional
information.
(3)Upon request,
advising the President, the members of the President's Cabinet, Congress,
Federal agencies, and other relevant groups about practitioner issues in health
care and health care policy, from a multidisciplinary perspective.
5.With respect to
service of process, the corporation shall comply with the laws of the State in
which it is incorporated and those States in which it carries on its activities
in furtherance of its corporate purposes.
6.Eligibility for membership in the
corporation and the rights and privileges of members shall be as provided in
the bylaws of the corporation.
7.Board of
directors; composition; responsibilitiesThe composition and the responsibilities of
the board of directors of the corporation shall be as provided in the articles
of incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the laws of the
State in which it is incorporated.
8.Officers of the
corporationThe officers of
the corporation and the election of such officers shall be as provided in the
articles of incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the laws of
the State in which it is incorporated.
9.
(a)No part of the income or assets of the corporation
shall inure to any member, officer, or director of the corporation or be
distributed to any such person during the life of the charter under this Act.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the payment of
reasonable compensation to the officers of the corporation or reimbursement for
actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors.
(b)The
corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, director, or employee of
the corporation.
(c)The corporation, any officer, or any director of the
corporation, acting as such officer or director, shall not contribute to,
support, or otherwise participate in any political activity or in any manner
attempt to influence legislation.
(d)Issuance of
stock and payment of dividendsThe corporation shall have no
power to issue any shares of stock nor to declare or pay any dividends.
(e)Claims of
Federal approvalThe corporation shall not claim congressional
approval or Federal Government authority for any of its activities.
(f)Federal
advisory activitiesWhile providing advice to Federal agencies,
the corporation shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. Appendix; 86 stat. 700).
10.The corporation shall be liable for the acts
of its officers and agents when acting within the scope of their
authority.
11.Maintenance and
inspection of books and records
(a)Books and
records of accountThe corporation shall keep correct and
complete books and records of account and shall keep minutes of any proceeding
of the corporation involving any of its members, the board of directors, or any
committee having authority under the board of directors.
(b)Names and
addresses of membersThe corporation shall keep at its principal
office a record of the names and addresses of all members having the right to
vote in any proceeding of the corporation.
(c)Right to
inspect books and recordsAll books and records of the
corporation may be inspected by any member having the right to vote, or by any
agent or attorney of such member, for any proper purpose, at any reasonable
time.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to
contravene any applicable State law.
12.The corporation shall
report annually to the Congress concerning the activities of the corporation
during the preceding fiscal year. The report shall not be printed as a public
document.
13.Reservation of
right to amend or repeal charterThe right to alter, amend, or repeal this
Act is expressly reserved to Congress.
14.In this Act, the term State
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the
territories and possessions of the United States.
15.The corporation shall
maintain its status as an organization exempt from taxation as provided in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any corresponding similar provision.
16.If the corporation fails to comply with any
of the restrictions or provisions of this Act the charter granted by this Act
shall terminate.