VETERINARIAN AS HEALTH PRACTITIONER

HB 366 adds veterinarians to the legal definition of "health care practitioner" in New Mexico law, specifically in Sections 24A-4-1 and 24A-4-5 of the state statutes. This change directly affects veterinarians and veterinary practices by making certain restrictive provisions in their employment agreements (like non-compete clauses) void, unenforceable, and against public policy. The bill applies to new or renewed agreements executed after its effective date (set for 2025), aligning veterinarians with other health care professionals like physicians and pharmacists under these rules. The bill passed committee reviews in February and March 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.