Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.27 - Confidentiality

(1) All proceedings involving allegations of misconduct by or the disability of a licensee shall be kept confidential until and unless a decision for the imposition of public discipline or disability is made by the Board. Provided, however, where the decision is that the respondent licensee shall receive a public censure, this decision shall remain confidential until the time of appealing the decision shall have elapsed or until the conclusion of an appeal, if one is taken. There shall be no confidentiality if the respondent licensee requests that the matter be made public, or if the investigation is predicated upon a conviction of the respondent licensee for a crime or if in matters involving alleged disability, the Board enters an order transferring the respondent licensee to a disability inactive status pursuant to Chapter 930-X-1-.26. All participants in the proceeding shall maintain the confidentiality of the proceeding. This provision shall not be construed to deny access to relevant information to authorized agencies investigating the qualifications of candidates, or to other jurisdictions investigating qualifications for admission to practice, or to law enforcement agencies investigating qualifications for government employment.

(2) In cases of extreme notoriety, the Board may in its discretion, upon majority vote of the Board, authorize its president to make a brief statement to the media that the matters asked about are under investigation and outlining the procedures for the handling of grievances under the administrative code; provided that such release shall not disclose (by name, position, address or otherwise) the identity of any person involved in the investigation.

(3) This rule has no application to disclosure incident to service pursuant to Chapter 930-X-1-.20.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.27

Repealed and New Rule: Filed December 18, 1997; effective January 22, 1998. Amended: Filed January 10, 2007; effective February 14, 2007.

Author: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-29-68.