2015 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 40 - Professions and Occupations
CHAPTER 69 - VETERINARIANS
Section 40-69-190. Complainant's rights; disciplinary hearings; release of information while proceeding pending; final order, contents and public inspection.

(A) The board shall provide written acknowledgement of every initial complaint and notify the initial complainant in writing of the disposition of the matter. Although entitled to notice, an initial complainant is not a party to the proceeding and is not entitled to appeal or otherwise seek review of the dismissal or other disposition of the matter. The complainant has the right to be present at any disciplinary hearing but may only participate as a witness. The disciplinary hearing must be open to the public. The board may deliberate in executive session but must not take any final action during the executive session.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person connected with any complaint, investigation, or other proceeding before the board, including, but not limited to, the complainant, any witness, counsel, counsel's secretary, board member, board employee, court reporter, or investigator, must not mention the existence of the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, disclose any information pertaining to the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, or discuss any testimony or other evidence in the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, except to persons involved and having a direct interest in the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, and then only to the extent necessary for the proper disposition of the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding. This prohibition does not apply to any matter contained in a formal complaint and answer made available for public inspection by this chapter or any matter or document disclosed in a public hearing. However, whenever the board receives information in any complaint, investigation, or other proceeding before it indicating a violation of state or federal law, the board may provide that information, to the extent the board considers necessary, to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement agency or regulatory body.

(C) The board must make its final order, finding that a licensee has violated a provision of this chapter, available for public inspection. The final order must include any facts or circumstances necessary to explain or support the board's findings and describe any sanction imposed. The board's final order must not identify a complainant or witness involved in any disciplinary proceeding alleging sexual misconduct by the licensee upon request of the complainant or witness.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 294, Section 1.