All official acts of the board shall be evidenced by a written record. Such writings shall be open to the public in accordance with the Act and the Texas Open Records Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Any hearing and any Board meeting shall be open to the public in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code, Chapter 551, provided, however, that pursuant to §552.011, Texas Pharmacy Act, the board may, in its discretion, conduct deliberations relative to licensee disciplinary actions in a closed meeting. The board in a closed meeting may conduct disciplinary hearings relating to a pharmacist or pharmacy student who is impaired because of chemical abuse or mental or physical illness. At the conclusion of its deliberations relative to licensee disciplinary action, the board shall vote and announce its decision relative to the licensee in open session. All disciplinary hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings shall be open to the public, including those relating to a pharmacist or pharmacy student who is impaired because of chemical abuse or mental or physical illness. Official action of the board shall not be bound or prejudiced by any informal statement or opinion made by any member of the board or the employees of the agency.

Source Note:The provisions of this §281.4 adopted to be effective December 30, 1998, 23 TexReg 13073; amended to be effective December 27, 2000, 25 TexReg 12688.