New Mexico Statutes
Article 14 - Veterinary Medicine
Section 61-14-5.1 - Impaired veterinarian. (Repealed effective July 1, 2024.)

A. The board may appoint an impaired-veterinarian committee to organize and administer a program that will:
(1) serve as a diversion program to which the board may refer licensees in lieu of or in addition to other disciplinary action under terms set by the board; and
(2) be a confidential source of treatment or referral for veterinarians who, on a voluntary basis and without the knowledge of the board, desire to avail themselves of treatment for emotionally based or chemical-dependence impairments.
B. The impaired-veterinarian committee shall:
(1) provide evaluations for veterinarians who request participation in the diversion program;
(2) review and designate treatment facilities and services to which veterinarians in the diversion program may be referred;
(3) receive and review information concerning the status and progress of participants in the diversion program;
(4) publicize the diversion program in coordination with veterinary professional associations; and
(5) prepare and provide reports at least annually to the board.
C. Each veterinarian referred to the diversion program by the board shall be informed of the procedures applicable to the diversion program, of the rights and responsibilities associated with participation in the diversion program and of the possible consequences of failure to participate in the diversion program. Failure to comply with any treatment requirement of the diversion program may result in termination of diversion program participation; termination of diversion program participation shall be reported to the board by the impaired-veterinarian committee. Participation in the diversion program shall not be a defense against, but may be considered in mitigating, any disciplinary action taken by the board. The board is not precluded from commencing a disciplinary action against a veterinarian who is participating in the diversion program or has been terminated.
D. No member of the board or the impaired-veterinarian committee shall be liable for civil damages because of acts or omissions that occur in administering the provisions of this section.
History: Laws 1993, ch. 163, § 11.
Delayed repeals. — For delayed repeal of this section, see 61-14-20 NMSA 1978.

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