47-847. Reports relating to impaired veterinarians; board or committee investigation. (a) Any person may report to the board or to an appropriate state professional society or organization of veterinarians any information such person may have relating to an alleged impaired veterinarian. If the report is made to the appropriate state professional society or organization, such society or organization shall refer the matter to an impaired veterinarian committee duly constituted pursuant to the society's or organization's bylaws. The committee shall investigate all such reports and take appropriate action.

(b) If information concerning an alleged impaired veterinarian is reported to the board, the board may investigate the report or may refer the report to an impaired veterinarian committee.

(c) The impaired veterinarian committee referred to in subsection (a) shall submit to the board, on a form promulgated by such board, at least once every three months, a report summarizing the reports received pursuant * this section. The report shall include the number of reports concerning impaired veterinarians, whether an investigation was conducted and any action taken.

(d) If the board determines that the impaired veterinarian committee referred to in subsection (a) is not fulfilling its duties under this section, the board, upon notice and an opportunity to be heard, may require such state professional society or organization to transfer to the board all reports made pursuant to this section to such state professional society or organization.

History: L. 1989, ch. 155, § 2; July 1.