27-12-103. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Chiropractic physician" means:

(a) for purposes of the annual assessment under 27-12-206, a person licensed to practice chiropractic under Title 37, chapter 12, who at the time of the assessment:

(i) has the individual's principal residence or place of chiropractic practice in the state of Montana;

(ii) is not employed full time by any federal agency or entity; and

(iii) is not fully retired from the practice of chiropractic; or

(b) for all other purposes, a person licensed to practice chiropractic under Title 37, chapter 12, who at the time of the occurrence of the incident giving rise to a malpractice claim:

(i) had the individual's principal residence or place of chiropractic practice in the state of Montana and was not employed full time by any federal agency or entity; or

(ii) was a professional service corporation, partnership, or other business entity organized under the laws of a state to render chiropractic services and each of whose shareholders, partners, or owners were chiropractic physicians licensed to practice chiropractic under Title 37, chapter 12.

(2) "Director" means the director of the Montana chiropractic legal panel.

(3) "Malpractice claim" means any claim or potential claim against a chiropractic physician for chiropractic treatment, lack of chiropractic treatment, or alleged departure from accepted standards of chiropractic health care that proximately results in damage to the claimant and includes but is not limited to a tort or contract claim or potential claim.

(4) "Panel" means the Montana chiropractic legal panel created in 27-12-104.