§ 5-25-15 - Procedure for discipline of veterinarians.
SECTION 5-25-15
§ 5-25-15 Procedure for discipline ofveterinarians. – (a) When a written allegation is filed with the division charging a person withhaving been guilty of any of the actions specified in § 5-25-14, thedivision of professional regulation shall immediately investigate those charges.
(b) In the event the investigation reveals reasonable groundsfor believing that the applicant or veterinarian is guilty of the charges, uponthe recommendation of the division or the administrator, the director shall fixa time and place for hearing the charges, and shall cause a copy of the chargestogether with a notice of the time and the place fixed for the hearing to beserved personally upon the accused at least twenty (20) days prior to the timefixed for the hearing. When personal service cannot be effected and that factis certified, by oath, by any person duly authorized to make service, thedivision shall cause to be published once in each of two (2) successive weeks,a notice of the hearing in a newspaper published in the county where theaccused last resided according to the records of the division and shall mail acopy of the charges and of the notice to the accused at his or her last knownaddress. When publication of notice is necessary, the date of the hearing shallnot be less than twenty (20) days after the last date of publication of thenotice. At the hearing, the accused shall have the right to appear personallyor by counsel or both, to produce witnesses and evidence on his or her behalf,to cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoenas issued by the administrator ofthe division of professional regulation. The attendance of witnesses and theproduction of books, documents, and papers at the hearing may be compelled bysubpoenas issued by the administrator, which shall be served in accordance withlaw. At the hearing, the administrator shall administer oaths as are necessaryfor the proper conduct of the hearing. The division shall not be bound by thestrict rules of procedure or by the laws of evidence in the conduct of itsproceedings, but the determination shall be based upon sufficient legalevidence to sustain it. If the accused is found guilty of the charges, thedivision may refuse to issue a registration to the applicant or may revoke orsuspend their license or otherwise discipline that person.
(c) Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, theholder of the license shall surrender the license to the administrator of thedivision who shall strike the name of the holder from the register.
(d) A revoked or suspended license may be reviewed at thediscretion of the division.