1. (a) The board may issue a relief permit to an individual licensed to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in another jurisdiction to conduct the practice of a veterinarian who is absent from the veterinarian's practice. A relief permit issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for a period of thirty days and may be renewed once in any twelve-month period; provided that any relief permit issued and renewed pursuant to this section shall not exceed sixty total days in any twelve-month period. A relief permit may be renewed in a subsequent twelve-month period. More than two requests for relief permits within a two-year period shall be prima facie evidence that the relief permittee is engaged in the active practice of veterinary medicine in the State and a license issued under section 471-9 shall be required.

2. (b) Applicants for a relief permit shall:

   1. (1) Hold a current, unencumbered, and active license to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in another jurisdiction;
   2. (2) Incidental to the person's practice in another jurisdiction, desire to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in the State on a temporary, not permanent or recurring, basis; and
   3. (3) Have a sponsor; provided that the sponsor shall not be required to be physically present on the same island.

3. (c) A relief permittee shall:

   1. (1) Consent to the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the board;
   2. (2) Not practice independently of the sponsor within the State;
   3. (3) Comply with this chapter and rules adopted by the board;

   4. (4) Cease to offer or render veterinary services in the State as an individual and on behalf of the sponsor if:

      1. (A) The relief permittee's license or practice from the other jurisdiction is no longer current and active; or
      2. (B) The relief permittee's license or practice has been limited or conditioned in any jurisdiction, including the relief permittee's principal place of business;

   5. (5) Notify the board within fifteen days if:

      1. (A) Any disciplinary action or board proceeding relating to the relief permittee's license is commenced in any jurisdiction; or
      2. (B) The relief permittee is convicted of any criminal offense in any jurisdiction or foreign country; and
   6. (6) Pay all costs associated with any jurisdiction's investigation, enforcement, and collection efforts pertaining to the relief permit issued pursuant to this section, as may be ordered by the board.
4. (d) In no case shall an individual be issued a relief permit and a courtesy permit in the same twelve-month period.

[L 2022, c 71, pt of §1]