SSB 1183

The bill provides new definitions for the terms “diagnosis” and “surgery”. The bill rewrites the definition of “practice of veterinary medicine” to include an action taken for compensation that involves providing authorized veterinary medical services to animals, including by providing a diagnosis or treatment, prescribing, dispensing, or administering or ordering the administration of a drug or appliance, or taking an action associated with the prevention, cure, or relief of disease or injury.3). SUPERVISION BY LICENSED VETERINARIAN —— VETERINARY AUXILIARY PERSONNEL. The bill provides that a licensed veterinarian may act as a supervising veterinarian directing certain individuals in performing delegated tasks under different levels of supervision. Such an individual is classified as a veterinary auxiliary personnel and includes (1) a veterinary technician who has graduated from an accredited or approved veterinary technology program, (2) a veterinary assistant who has not graduated from that program, (3) a veterinary student attending a college of veterinary medicine, and (4) a graduate of a foreign college of veterinary medicine. _____ supervision allowing a supervising veterinarian to delegate tasks to veterinary auxiliary personnel include: (1) direct supervision in which the supervising veterinarian is on the premises where the animal patient is being cared for, (2) immediate supervision in which a supervising veterinarian is in the immediate area of the animal patient, and (3) indirect supervision in which a supervising veterinarian is available by telephone or other means of immediate communication. SUPERVISION BY LICENSED VETERINARIAN —— DUTY. A licensed veterinarian cannot act as a supervising veterinarian until examining the animal patient.32). VETERINARY AUXILIARY PERSONNEL —— CERTIFICATION OF VETERINARY TECHNICIAN. The bill provides for the board’s certification of veterinary technicians as registered veterinary technicians. An application may be based on either: (1) passing a national exam (veterinary technician national examination or “VTNE”) or (2) by endorsement when the applicant veterinary technician has been actively employed as a veterinarian technician in another jurisdiction for at least 2,000 hours during the prior five years.34). The bill provides that a person who is not registered commits a simple misdemeanor by wrongfully claiming to hold such a credential. VETERINARY AUXILIARY PERSONNEL —— SCOPE OF AUTHORITY. Each type of veterinary auxiliary personnel is subject to its own level of supervision which includes associated tasks that may be delegated. _____ established by rules adopted by the board which also provides for associated tasks that may be delegated. For a veterinary assistant, the level is restricted to direct supervision and the board by rule provides for associated tasks that may be delegated. For a veterinary student, the level of supervision and the associated tasks that may be delegated are determined by the supervising veterinarian based on the number of academic years that the student has successfully completed. For a graduate from a foreign college of veterinary medicine, the level of supervision and associated tasks that may be delegated are also determined by the supervising veterinarian based on whether the graduate holds a current certificate issued by the American veterinary medical association educational commission for foreign veterinary graduates (ECFVG). ADMINISTRATIVE RULES. The bill requires the board to begin the process of adopting rules required to implement the bill’s provisions by September 1, 2023. These provisions take effect upon enactment. PROHIBITIONS. A person who acts in violation of requirements governing veterinary medicine may be guilty of a fraudulent practice.8).8). PENALTIES. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. The penalties for fraudulent practice range from a simple misdemeanor to a class “C” felony depending upon the amount of money or value of the property involved. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. _____ not more than $8,540. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.14).