§ 52-5-4 — Authority to adopt rules, regulations and fee schedules

A. The director is authorized to adopt reasonable rules and regulations, after notice and public hearing, for effecting the purposes of the Workers' Compensation Act [Chapter 52, Article 1 NMSA 1978] or the New Mexico Occupational Disease Disablement Law [52-3-1 NMSA 1978]. All rules and regulations shall be published upon adoption and be made available to the public and, if not inconsistent with law, shall be binding on the administration of the Workers' Compensation Act or the New Mexico Occupational Disease Disablement Law. All rules and regulations adopted shall be filed in accordance with the State Rules Act [Chapter 14, Article 4 NMSA 1978]. B. Such rules and regulations shall include provisions for procedures in the nature of conferences or other techniques to dispose of cases informally or to expedite claim adjudication, narrow issues and simplify the methods of proof at hearings. C. The director shall promulgate and enforce schedules of reimbursement for such nonprofessional services as providing testimony and depositions, the production of records or the completion of medical capacity forms to health care providers as defined in Section 52-4-1 NMSA 1978 as he deems appropriate and necessary in the administration of the Workers' Compensation Act or the New Mexico Occupational Disease Disablement Law. D. The director shall adopt rules for approval and establishment of controlled insurance plans, including performance standards compliance enforcement. In an advisory role only to participate in the rulemaking process, the director shall provide for the participation of: (1) general contractors; (2) subcontractors; (3) organized labor; (4) municipalities; (5) counties; and (6) business.

Legislative History

Laws 1986, ch. 22, § 30; 1989, ch. 263, § 73; 2003, ch. 263, § 3.