This rule applies to a broad range of New Mexico providers of health care and services and employees of these providers who are not licensed health care professionals or certified nurse aides. This rule requires that providers check with the registry and avoid employing an individual on the registry. This rule provides for the investigation and determination of complaints alleging abuse, neglect or exploitation of recipients of care or services by employees. This rule further requires listing employees with substantiated registry-referred abuse, neglect or exploitation on the registry, following an opportunity for a hearing. This rule supplements other pre-employment screening requirements currently applicable to health care providers, such as the requirement for criminal history screening of caregivers employed by care providers subject to the Caregiver Criminal History Screening Act, Sections 29-17-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, and that Act's implementing rule, 8.370.5 NMAC. It also supplements requirements for preemployment screening of certified nurse aides applicable to nursing facilities pursuant to 42 CFR Sections 483.75(e) and 488.335; and 8.370.25 NMAC. This rule does not address the consequences of abuse, neglect, or exploitation for which a provider, as distinguished from an employee, is responsible.
N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.8.2