April 2024 Report
This report shares short summary highlights of tracked legislative bills and rules & regulations that have seen recent activity, as well as available board and state VMA updates.
The legislative activity map reflects all 2024 activity and is updated daily. The regulation activity map reflects activity within the last month and will be updated monthly.
Legislative Activity
Regulation Activity
Board Watch
Alaska Board of Veterinary Examiners – March 8, 2024 Minutes
Regulations
Regulations Specialist Alison Osborne joined the meeting to discuss current regulations projects.
State examination and military licensing
The board reviewed the draft regulations pertaining to this topic. Members considered potential further changes:
- Whether the sponsoring veterinarian should be notified each time a temporary licensee fails a required exam.
- Rescinding 12 AAC 68.030(b) and adopting a new regulation requiring staff of the board to notify the supervising veterinarian if a temporary license holder loses that license due to failure to pass either the state jurisprudence exam or the NAVLE.
- Clarifying that a temporary license holder should be able to retake the state exam multiple times while awaiting their NAVLE results. This was based on Ms. Bowman’s discovery that the plural “notifications” in AS 08.98.180 originally referred to the NAVLE and another national exam that is no longer offered. It inadvertently now encompasses the national and state exams since those are the only applicable examinations. Thus, 12 AAC 68.030(b) refers to notification of both examinations.
- Ms. Bowman also pointed out that the reference to the North American Veterinary Licensing
Examination (NBVME) in 12 AAC 68.015 should now be the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) since the organization changed its name.
Motion by Dr. Albert to table the project regarding state examination and military licensing changes and the section on new regulations until the next meeting of the board. Seconded by Dr. Vollaro. Passed by unanimous consent.
Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship
The board reviewed the rekeyed draft regulations that it voted on at its February meeting to ensure accuracy. Ms. Osborne explained that the goal is to forward to LAW for their initial review after today’s review by the board.
Dr. Geiger raised concern about whether “licensure status” as proposed in the draft accomplishes the board’s intended goal. The board discussed further and determined the proposed language helped clarify to potential clients whether the attending veterinarian held a current license in Alaska.
The board discussed whether it made sense to send this package forward immediately or wait to send as a package with the other regulations that had been tabled to the next meeting. Ms. Osborne and Ms. Chambers advised that the board could do either; however, combining them into one package would be more efficient and cost-effective.
Motion by Dr. Albert to send this version of the VCPR regulations rewrite to LAW along with the tabled state examination and military licensing regulations if approved at a future meeting; any edits by LAW or the regulations specialist should come back to the board for approval prior to being noticed for public comment. Seconded by Dr. Geiger. Passed by unanimous roll call vote.
Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board – February 21, 2023 Minutes
Colorado Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 8, 2024 Minutes
A motion was made by Carolyn Karrh, seconded by Lynn Ferguson, and carried to adopt the Petition for Declaratory Order re: 4 CCR 727-1, 1-10.A.8 as follows:
Once a valid VCPR is established with a veterinarian at a clinic, refills of a prescription entered by that veterinarian in compliance with 4 CCR 727-1, 1-10.A.8 may be authorized by another veterinarian at the clinic. Whether the refill authorization is made by the original prescribing veterinarian or another veterinarian at the clinic, the need for an in-person examination prior to authorization is fact-dependent, including such factors as the nature of the prescription and condition of the animal, and is determined by generally accepted standards of veterinary practice regarding medical necessity.
March 21, 2024
On Wednesday, March 20, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association was on Parliament Hill to call on the federal government to address workplace shortages and support a robust veterinary workforce through additional investments for programs, projects, and veterinary infrastructure as well as investing in the mental health of all veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals.
Providing remarks are Dr. Trevor Lawson, President, and Joel Neuheimer, CEO.
Watch the full press conference here.
DC Board of Veterinary Medicine – March 21, 2024 Minutes
Topics of Legislative Priorities:
- Cosmetic treatments on pets
- Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine
Mr. Ed Rich stated that his legal team in collaboration with Ms. Aisha Nixon has been putting together a fee schedule for veterinary technician and veterinary euthanasia licensing.
The board also discussed the possible uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and ethical concerns related to the responsible use of AI.
Some possible uses of AI in veterinary medicine include:
- Writing the patient chart
- Client communication
- Image analysis
These topics and more will be discussed in the next board meeting.
Health Occupations Revision Act (HORA) Update:
Committee Report Filed by the Health, Includes Hearing Record View Committee Report
Legislative Meeting View Meeting Video
First Reading, CC | Engrossment | View Voting Details
▪ DC Health worked on a significant revision of the HORA. This would be the first significant revision in seventeen years.
▪ The revised HORA received Mayoral approval and has been introduced in the Council as the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act of 2023 (B25-0545).
▪ This legislation received a hearing on December 7th. Over 80 witnesses, many of whom were healthcare professionals, signed up to provide testimony. DC Health’s Associate Director of Health Professional Licensing Boards provided testimony in support and answered questions from the Council.
▪ DC Health has been working on the Committee on Health following that hearing. A mark-up was held on March 21st, 2024. The legislation was passed unanimously by the Committee of the Whole on First Reading on April 2nd. It is scheduled for a Second Reading on May 7th
Here is the summary of the legislation that was passed:
A health professional who is licensed, registered, or certified in the District pursuant to this act may offer telehealth services to a District resident or an individual located within the District if the following conditions are met:
- The telehealth services are consistent with the applicable standard of care in the District and fall within the health professional’s authorized scope of practice in the District.
- The telehealth services are not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
- A practitioner-patient or practitioner-client relationship can be established through telehealth, in accordance with the appropriate standard of care and the practitioner’s competence and scope of practice. However, the Mayor may issue additional requirements through rulemaking for specific health professionals to establish a practitioner-client relationship, including the possibility of an initial in-person physical examination.
Other Documents
- B25-0545_Memorandum
- Henderson Amendment 1 to B25-545, the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act of 2024
- Henderson Amendment 1 to B25-545, the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act of 2024
- REIA B25-0545 HORA Markup
- Request to Agendize
Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 7, 2024 Minutes
Discussion – Rules Committee – W. Wright
- Rule 700-12-.10 Radiology
- Investigators Inspection Form
- Rule 700-7-.03. Continuing Veterinary Education_RC 01-31-2024
- Rule 700-7-.04. Veterinary Technician Continuing Education_RC 01-31-2024
Dr. Malphus motioned, Dr. Bradley seconded, and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion to request a Memorandum of Advice from the Attorney General’s Office as to whether the Board has the authority to perform random veterinary facility inspections without receiving a complaint and if the Board has authority to add a question on the renewal application to require proof of annual inspection and operator radiology safety training based on the licensee’s response.
Dr. Malphus motioned, Dr. Bradley seconded, and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion to request that the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division require proof of annual radiological equipment inspection and operator radiology safety training at the renewal of a veterinary facility license.
Dr. Malphus motioned, Dr. Bradley seconded, and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion to accept the Veterinary Inspection Form and to post the form to the Board website.
Dr. Bradley motioned, Dr. Corry seconded, and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion to accept the recommendations from the Rules Committee to refer Rule 700-7-.03. Continuing Veterinary Education and Rule 700-7-.04. Veterinary Technician Continuing Education to the Attorney General’s Office for a Memorandum of Authority, and if no objections, vote to post.
Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners – January 24, 2024 Minutes
Dr. Olson presented a summary to all board members of the history, timeline, updates, successes, and challenges of modernizing the Kansas Veterinary Practice Act statutes with stakeholders to prepare board members about the talking points document to share in the Capitol with legislators during scheduled meetings today. This included reporting information from the KVMA-KBVE task force meetings since the inception of this committee in January 2023.
Dr. Olson gave his executive director report. He has spent considerable time in discussions with stakeholders on updated language in the modernized statutes of the Practice Act and has brought updated information for the board to discuss and consider at this meeting. The KVMA asked the KBVE to send a survey out to all licensed Kansas veterinarians on January 19, 2024, to get information and data from licensees about possible shortages in veterinary services across the state of Kansas. The survey will be completed and analyzed with results after it closes on February 2, 2024. The board reviewed the map of the number of veterinarians residing in each county with active Kansas veterinary licenses.
The board reviewed the Practice Act statutes draft updated information and learned that the KVMA had changed their position at the January 22, 2024, KVMA board meeting and will not be a proponent of a legislative bill. The KVMA membership is divided on language involving credentialed veterinary technician language in the modernized statute draft and needs some time to sort this out with their membership. The KVMA is also concerned about a recent KLA resolution that could introduce technicians providing veterinary services in Kansas.
Dr. Ritter moved to give the KVMA a timeline of December 1, 2024, to get the statute draft language determined and in written form that the KVMA membership and KBVE would support. This would include regular meetings of the KVMA-KBVE task force and expand the task force to include practitioners and veterinarian legislators. On December 1, 2024, the updated language will be submitted to the Revisor of Statutes to be written as a legislative bill for the 2025 legislative session that all stakeholders will support. Dr. Dodson seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote with no dissenting votes. Dr. Olson announced that the next KVMA- KBVE task force meeting will be held virtually on February 29, 2024, at 7:00 am via Zoom.
2024-02 ~ LAC 46LXXXV.400.403.405.409.411.413.800.811.1200.1227 – Continuing Education Definitions & Requirements
- 05-23-2023 Board discussed and voted to better define online participation and to maintain in-person requirements for at least 50% of annual continuing education hours. [Meeting Minutes – 05-23-23]
- 02-29-2024 Notice of Intent and Fiscal & Economic Impact Statements submitted to Legislative Fiscal Office for review.
- 03-06-2024 Legislative Fiscal Office approved fiscal and economic impact statement.
- 03-07-2024 First Report submitted to Senate and House Legislative Oversight Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
- 03-07-2024 Notice of Intent submitted for publication in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, March edition.
- 03-20-2024 Notice of Intent published in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, March edition.
- 03-21-2024 Submission of written comments related to this rule proposal will only be accepted from March 21st to April 9th.
- 04-09-2024 Deadline for submission of written comments to Board.*See instructions for submitting comments in Notice of Intent.
- XX-XX-XXX NO PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED — * As there were no requests within twenty days (by April 9th, 2024) for a public hearing in accordance with §953.A(2)(b)(i), the Board will NOT hold a public hearing and will move forward with the rulemaking process.
2023-10 ~ LAC 46LXXXV.103 – Meetings of Boards via Electronic Means
- 10-05-2023 Board was presented with rule amendment in compliance with Act No. 393. [Meeting Minutes – 10-05-23; final ratification required at 12-07-23 meeting]
- 10-30-2023 Notice of Intent and Fiscal & Economic Impact Statements submitted to Legislative Fiscal Office for review.
- 01-09-2024 Legislative Fiscal Office approved fiscal and economic impact statement.
- 01-10-2024 First Report submitted to Senate and House Legislative Oversight Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
- 01-10-2024 Notice of Intent submitted for publication in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, January edition.
- 01-20-2024 Notice of Intent published in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, January edition.
- 01-21-2024 Period starts for submission of written public comment related to this rule proposal.
- 02-09-2024 Deadline for submission of written comments to Board.*See instructions for submitting comments in Notice of Intent. Written comments will only be accepted from 1/21 to 2/09.
- 02-29-2024 NO PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED — As there were no requests for a public hearing in accordance with §953.A(2)(b)(i), the Board did not hold a public hearing. * In accordance with §953.A(2)(b)(i), the Public Hearing for oral presentation or argument will be granted if requested within twenty days (by February 9th, 2024) after publication of the rule by twenty-five persons, by a governmental subdivision or agency, by an association having not less than twenty-five members, or by a committee of either house of the legislature to which the proposed rule change has been referred under the provisions of R.S. 49:968.
- 02-21-2024 Summary Report submitted to Senate and House Legislative Oversight Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
- 05-20-2023 Final Rule to be published in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, April edition – effective 05/20/24.
Notice of Final Action – Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
15.14.12 Fees [23-334-F]
On March 13, 2024, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners adopted amendments to Regulation .02 under COMAR 15.14.12 Fees. This action, which was proposed for adoption in 51:2 Md. R. 111—112 (January 26, 2024), has been adopted as proposed.
.02 Fees.
The following fees are established by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners:
- Initial registration fee for [newly-licensed] newly licensed and [newly-reinstated] newly reinstated veterinarians:
(1) Between July 1 and December 31 — [$150] $300;
(2) Between January 1 and June 30 — [$75] $150.
- Annual registration renewal fee — [$150] $300;
- Veterinarian late registration fee — (additional) — [$100] $200;
- Veterinarian reinstatement fee — [$225] $300;
- Veterinarian State Board examination fee — [$225] $300;
- Veterinary technician application fee — [$85] $100;
- Veterinary technician registration fee (triennial) — [$60] $100;
- Veterinary hospital license fee (annual) — [$150] $300;
- Veterinary hospital late fee – (additional) — [$100] $200;
J.—K. (text unchanged)
Effective Date: April 15, 2024.
Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food
Notice Form: 2024-51
Rule Number: *Agr 2800
Readopt with amendment Agr 2800, effective 4-18-2014 (Document #10568): Animal Population Control
Purpose. These rules implement the forms and procedures of the Department of
Agriculture, Markets, and Food pursuant to RSA 437-A, the animal population control program. The purpose of the program is to encourage permanent sexual sterilization of dogs and cats to reduce the population of unwanted companion animals and protect public health and safety.
New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 28, 2024 Minutes
Proposed Repeal and Addition of New Sections 52.11 and 62.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner Related to the Registration of Curricula and Professional Study in Veterinary Medicine.
February 29.2024
Background Information
Like many other states, New York is experiencing a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural communities. These proposed amendments to sections 52.11 and 62.1 of the Commissioner’s regulations are intended to meet workforce challenges without sacrificing educational quality by aligning requirements to programmatic accreditation standards that allow multiple program pathways to earning a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.
To qualify for a license as a veterinarian, Education Law §6704(2) requires that applicants obtain sufficient education, including a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations. Section 62.1 of Commissioner’s regulations currently require applicants for licensure to provide evidence of completion of 60 semester hours of pre-professional postsecondary education satisfactory to the
Department, and completion of a curriculum of not less than four academic years in a veterinary medical program registered by the department or accredited or approved by an acceptable accrediting organization.
Contemporary global practice in veterinary education, as reflected in the standards of the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA-COE), currently provides for more variation in program scope and duration than is currently afforded by section 62.1. For example, the AVMA-COE accredits some 5-year professional international programs leading to a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine, where students enter the program directly from high school. This is similar to many internationally educated physicians who are licensed by virtue of having completed a five-year professional medical education program. Other programs accredited by the AVMA-COE have moved to a three-year program model leading to the doctoral degree in veterinary medicine. In each of these examples, a study that constitutes pre-professional education under existing regulation is either embedded in a professional program (in the case of the 5-year program) or reviewed by the institution as an admissions requirement (in the case of the 3-year program). Revising section 62.1 to better align with program accreditation standards will remove barriers to licensure as a veterinarian in New York State for otherwise qualified applicants.
Section 52.11 of the Commissioner’s regulations sets forth the requirements for the registration of a program leading to licensure in veterinary medicine as follows:
Admission requirements to a college of veterinary medicine shall include the following pre-professional education: 60 semester hours of college study including courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology or zoology.
This language is in need of technical revision because current practice and contemporary programmatic accreditation standards provide multiple pathways to admission to professional study that are not limited to 60 credits of preprofessional education.
Proposed Amendment
The proposed new section 52.11 of the Commissioner’s regulations establishes that curricula registered as leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine shall meet accreditation standards from an acceptable accrediting organization as defined in the updated section 62.1(a).
The proposed new section 62.1 of the Commissioner’s regulations requires that applicants for licensure present evidence of either:
(1) a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from a professional veterinary medical education program registered by the Department or accredited by an acceptable accrediting organization, or
(2) the equivalent completion of combined prerequisite and professional study that the Department determines to be comparable to a registered or accredited program.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Regents take the following action:
VOTED: That sections 52.11 and 62.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be added, as submitted, effective March 27, 2024.
Timetable for Implementation
If adopted at the March meeting, the proposed rule will become effective as a permanent rule on March 27, 2024.
North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board – January 11, 2024 Minutes
RVT Committee Report:
Robin Lazaro, RVT reported that Michael Martin, DVM is the newest member of the RVT Committee. Ms. Lazaro stated the Committee is in the “research phase” and is working on the following three (3) action items: Fellowship; Ways to increase the number of RVTs in North Carolina; and Scope of Practice.
State Veterinarian’s Report:
Michael Martin, DVM reported there were no changes in the status of the African Swine Fever; Chronic Wasting Disease; or Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. Dr. Martin also updated the Board on the Avian Influenza and the national Equine Infectious Anemia outbreak. Dr. Martin also discussed the Canine Respiratory Virus and expressed interest in developing a multi-agency task force for education, outreach, protocols, and treatment recommendations.
Legislative Update:
Deputy Director Keith West reported the Legislative Committee has begun the Periodic Review of existing rules. The public comment period on existing rules will end on February 18, 2024, and at this time, there are no public comments to report. He stated he would provide a report on the feedback received at the February 29, 2024 meeting. Mr. West stated the Board will have until November 2024 to have the rules submitted to the Rules Review Commission.
Deputy Director, Keith West, introduced boarding kennel permit rules to the Board for approval. After review, the Board sent the proposed rules for boarding kennel permits back to the legislative committee for additional edits.
Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board – March 13, 2024 Minutes
College of Veterinarians of Ontario – Council Highlights March 2024
CVO presents position on innovation in veterinary medicine
April 14, 2024
Veterinarians are encouraged to embrace the tools of the future, according to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s (College) new position on innovation in veterinary medicine.
“The practice of veterinary medicine is highly innovative and regularly makes use of technology to support innovation in care and access to veterinary treatments. Our Council’s new position reminds veterinarians of their professional obligations in this largely unregulated environment.”
Dr. Wade Wright, President of the College
Council approved the position statement “Embracing Innovation in the Digital Age in Veterinary Medicine” at its March meeting. The position states, “The College acknowledges the need to experiment with new models of practice, new models of delivery, new diagnostic tools, and new approaches to treatment. Veterinarians faced with this future need to develop skills that support curiosity, critical analysis, balanced skepticism, and experimentation with the knowledge that this environment is largely unregulated.”
When embracing innovation, the position urges veterinarians to be attentive to data security, to thoroughly test all products, to explore the tool’s outcomes, and to consider potential biases that may exist in the analysis of the data.
“Our College recognizes advances, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, present opportunities for animal health and welfare and we also realize this current environment has no government regulatory oversight. A veterinarian is accountable for their decisions to integrate new tools into their practice.”
Jan Robinson, Registrar, and Chief Executive Officer at the College
The Position Statement was developed with input from its Ontario Veterinary Regulatory Innovation Panel, established in 2023 to strengthen the acceptance and exploration of technology in the future delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario.
The College Council is committed to managing the risks involved in the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario and working to reduce any potential for harm to animals and people. The College licenses more than 5,500 veterinarians and accredits over 2,400 veterinary facilities in Ontario.
Division of Professional Licensing
Proposed: General Rule of the Division of Professional Licensing, R156-1
The Division of Professional Licensing is filing these proposed amendments to clarify and update the rule and implement statutory changes and remove barriers to licensure in accordance with SB 36 passed in the 2023 General Session.