Section 321.237 - Veterinary wellness committee(1) The board may establish a veterinary wellness committee to undertake the functions and responsibilities of a veterinary wellness program. The functions and responsibilities may include any of the following: (a) Receiving and evaluating reports of suspected impairment or incapacitation from any source;(b) Issuing an order directing an applicant, certificate holder, licensee, designated on-site manager, permittee, registrant, veterinarian manager, or AAHP manager to undergo a mental or physical examination or chemical dependency evaluation, when probable cause exists that the credential holder has engaged in conduct prohibited by this chapter or a statute or administrative regulation enforced by the board. For the purpose of this section, every credential holder is considered to have consented to undergo a mental or physical examination or chemical dependency evaluation when ordered to do so, in writing, by the board and to have waived all objections to the admissibility of the examiner's or evaluator's testimony or reports on the grounds that the testimony or reports constitute a privileged communication;(c) Intervening in cases of verified or suspected impairment or incapacitation; or(d) Referring impaired or incapacitated credential holders, registrants, designated on-site managers, veterinarian managers, AAHP managers, or applicants to treatment programs as a requirement of initial or continued licensure, certification, registration, or permitting.(2) Other provisions of law notwithstanding, all board and committee records pertaining to the veterinary wellness program shall be kept confidential. No person in attendance at any meeting of the committee shall be required to testify as to any committee discussions or proceedings.(3) Other provisions of law notwithstanding, no member of the board or the veterinary wellness committee shall be liable for damages to any person for any acts, omissions, or recommendations made by the member in good faith while acting within the scope of the member's responsibilities in accordance with this section.Amended by 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 95,§ 22, eff. 6/28/2023.Amended by 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 116,§ 13, eff. 7/14/2016.Effective:7/14/1992
Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 299, sec. 10, effective7/14/1992.