May 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
Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board – March 20, 2024 Minutes
Bill M 217, Non-Disclosure Agreements Act 2024 This bill restricts the use and content of non-disclosure agreements relating to discrimination, harassment, and allegations of discrimination and harassment. Specifically includes medical practitioners.
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College of Veterinarians of British Columbia – March 22, 2024 Minutes
Connecticut Board of Veterinary Medicine – May 1, 2024 Video Recording
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
WSAVA Unveils Updated Global Vaccination Guidelines
April 22, 2024
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has updated its Global Vaccination Guidelines, which set out the latest scientific thinking on the vaccination of dogs and cats globally. The Guidelines have been produced by the WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group, and are now available for free download from the WSAVA website, following peer-review by the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the WSAVA’s official scientific journal.
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The Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC) announced the launch of new resources to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care and new comprehensive services to help veterinarians reach underserved patients.
Through its groundbreaking Access to Care Resource Hub, VIC will provide veterinary professionals with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to offer greater access to veterinary care for a broader range of patients. This includes providing pet owners and clinics with a wider array of financial options and information on various alternative options for procedures and other care that are more affordable or accessible.
The Access to Care Resource Hub is available now at vetaccesshub.com. Veterinary professionals are encouraged to explore the site, share their feedback, and contribute their insights and experiences to help grow this valuable community resource.
Learn more here.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s New Requirements for Dogs Entering the United States
May 10, 2024
Earlier this week, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update to their dog importation regulations and subsequent changes to their import requirements for dogs entering the United States. These changes will come into effect on August 1, 2024, and will impact dogs traveling from Canada to the United States.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently in the process of reviewing the new requirements and engaging with the US CDC about the upcoming changes so that we can provide further information to Canadian veterinarians and travelers as soon as possible. We are aware that many people have questions about the impacts these new requirements will have on the Canadian veterinary community as well as dog owners, and what these changes will mean for dogs traveling from Canada to the United States. The CFIA is reviewing these changes and will provide further information and guidance as soon as it is available.
We will continue to keep the the veterinary community informed as we address these new requirements, and will provide updates as soon as they are available.
DC Board of Veterinary Medicine – April 18, 2024 Minutes
Health Occupations Revision Act (HORA) Update:
- 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.
Delaware Board of Veterinary Medicine – March 12, 2024 Minutes
Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine – April 2, 2024 Investigative Committee Meeting Minutes
2024-04 ~ LAC 46LXXXV.1007, 1011, 1025, 1039, 1051, 1057, and 1063 – Rules of Professional Conduct
- 04-04-2024 Board discussed and voted on amendments to several sections, including §1007, §1011, §1025, §1039, §1051, §1057, and §1063. [Meeting Minutes – 04-04-24, minutes to be ratified at and published after 06-06-24 meeting]
- 05-08-2024 Notice of Intent and Fiscal & Economic Impact Statements submitted to Legislative Fiscal Office for review.
2024-02 ~ LAC 46LXXXV.Chapter 10 – Rules of Professional Conduct (Re-promulgation)
- 02-01-2024 In accordance with the APA, R.S. 49:950 et seq. and the 2022 LA Administrative Code Review, Board conducted a comprehensive review of Chapter 10 and intends to notify public with re-promulgation of all sections listed in Rule published below. The historical notes shall be updated to reflect this Chapter 10 rule review. [Meeting Minutes – 02-01-24]
- 05-20-2024 Final Rule re-promulgated in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, May edition.
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.
- 05-20-2024 Notice of Intent is being reprinted in 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, May edition to correct a manifest, typographical error in §812 relative to maximum number of allowable hours of online continuing education for RVTs. (The original document can be viewed on pages 412-417 of the 2024 Louisiana Register, Volume 50, March edition.)
Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 1, 2024 Minutes
LAC 46LXXXV.705 – Prescribing and Dispensing Drugs
Mr. Vogt will propose amended Rule 705 language for the Board’s consideration along with the full Chapter 7 review once completed in accordance with the 2022 Administrative Code Review. No motion made, and no further action was taken on this matter at this time.
LAC 46LXXXV.Chapter 7 – Veterinary Practice
In accordance with the 2022 Louisiana Administrative Code Review, a comprehensive review of Chapter 7 was conducted by the Board. The Board discussed possible amendments to the following Rules of Chapter 7: 700, 701, 702, 705, and 707. Mr. Granier and Mr. Vogt will draft a Notice of Intent to present to the Board at its April ’24 meeting for final review and vote before moving forward with the formal rulemaking process. The remaining sections of Chapter 7 which were not amended will be submitted later in the 2024 calendar year to the Louisiana Register for repromulgation. No motion made and no further action was taken on this matter at this time.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine – December 22, 2023 Minutes
Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 21, 2024 Minutes
Missouri Veterinary Medical Board – April 23, 2024 Minutes
Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery – April 24, 2024 Minutes
2024 LEGISLATION UPDATES
LB16 – Require occupational boards to issue certain credentials based on credentials or work experience in another jurisdiction, provide and change requirements regarding applicants with a criminal conviction, provide for jurisprudential examinations and appeals, change requirements for membership of the State Electrical Board, and adopt the Interior Design Voluntary Registration Act.
Approved by the Governor on March 5, 2024.
Slip Law: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Slip/LB16.pdf
Suzanna Glover-Ettrich, with the Legal Department, is writing the opinion on LB16 and how it will affect licensing.
LB910 – Authorize an emergency medical service to transport and emergency care providers to provide emergency medical care to injured law enforcement canines.
Approved by the Governor on April 16, 2024.
Slip Law: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Slip/LB910.pdf
Nevada Board of Veterinary Examiners – February 8, 2024 Minutes
New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine – March 27, 2024 Minutes
Recently Adopted Rules
- Vet 200 Rules of Practice and Procedure- Effective 6/24/2024
Effective May 3, 2024, Plc 313 reads as follows:
PART Plc 313 LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT
(a) The purpose of the rules in Plc 313 is to implement Laws of 2023, ch. 111, effective August 27, 2023, now codified as RSA 310:17, relative to issuing licenses to applicants who are not currently licensed in New Hampshire but are licensed in another jurisdiction that has substantially similar requirements as defined in Plc 302.28.
(b) To qualify for licensure under this part, an individual shall hold a license that:
(1) Is from a jurisdiction having substantially similar requirements;
(2) Is not temporary;
(3) Is not encumbered by any conditions, limitations, or restrictions; and
(4) Is active and not suspended, revoked, or surrendered.
Plc 313.02 Applicability.
(a) Subject to (c), below, this part shall apply to the professions and licenses regulated under the statutes and by the executive director and boards listed in Table 313-1, below:
Table 313-1: Professions and Licenses for which Licensure by Endorsement is Available
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Veterinarian – RSA 332-B – Board of Veterinary Medicine
Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Examiners – February 16, 2024 Minutes
Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 an Act to amend various statutes related to employment and labor, etc. Establishes certain requirements for record-keeping to publicly advertised job postings. Requires “regulated professions” to establish policies respecting what alternatives to documentation of qualifications that are normally required will be acceptable, etc.
Oregon Veterinary Medical Licensing Board – February 22-23, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Animal Massage Advisement– Pete Burns
Issue: Board receiving many questions from the public regarding animal massage.
Discussion: This document is to help educate those who call in inquiring about animal massage. It will provide staff with a quick means of getting information out. The current version of this document is dense. Karen offered to simplify the language.
Outcome: Karen will make necessary edits and bring it back to the board in April for final review.
CVT Education– Ragan Borzcik
Issue: CVT licensure has problematic language in OAR 875-030-0010.
Discussion: CVT licensure has problematic language in OAR 875-030-0010. Regulatory streamlining and ease burdens on public applicants. The language is difficult for staff to interpret and requires the board to evaluate education requirements. Borzcik would like to start a workgroup to take a closer look and discuss further. Wallace moved. Borzcik seconded. All in favor.
Outcome: CVT Education Workgroup
VCPR Workgroup- Emilio DeBess
Issue: Update.
Discussion: All the documents are together and ready to go. Waiting on contributing members for availability in schedules.
Outcome: Need to establish meeting dates for workgroups.
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – March 6, 2024 Minutes
Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine – March 11, 2024 Minutes
Washington Board of Veterinary Governors – March 4, 2024 Minutes
Eligibility for Examination as Veterinary Technician
The board voted on the adoption of proposed rules filed under WSR 23-23-094 on October 18, 2023. The proposed language clarifies that a registered apprenticeship program is an approved post-secondary educational pathway to qualify for licensure exams as a veterinary technician.
Motion to approve the proposed language, seconded and passed 5 to 3.
Rulemaking – Exam and Licensure Requirements
Ms. Budrow gave an overview of SSHB 1724 and what it would mean to move the jurisprudence exam to continuing education.
The Board discussed jurisprudence exam options to comply with SSHB 1724. Dr. Vang motioned to open the CR101 to include moving the jurisprudence exam to continuing education, motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Dr. Haigh will replace Dr. Reed on the subcommittee.
Rulemaking — Veterinary Telemedicine (VCPR)
Chick Newman, DVM: Without examining an animal in person, many medical issues will be missed. Under the current statutes requiring the DVM to have examined the patient in person, there are safeguards in place that would ensure that these and other medical issues are not missed. Current law requires that veterinarians performing telemedicine must have established an in-person relationship with the client and patient within the year. Telemedicine veterinarians must see the patient in person, at least annually, keeping the current requirements for a valid VCPR would ensure that at least a physical in-person exam is performed annually by a doctor so that important changes are not missed.
Ken Gordon, WSVMA: WSVMA are strongly supporting this rule. According to the American Society of Pediatricians, pediatricians are not allowed to set up VCPR for patients under the age of two. ASPCA is telling our representatives that if this is passed legislatively, then the legislation will overrule the federal prescribing guidelines. We have had that checked out legally and that’s completely wrong. The board reviewed written comments from Dr. Sanders. The board discussed VCPR and Dr. Sellon gave an update from the VCPR Subcommittee. VCPR subcommittee scheduled their next meeting for April 17th at 8am.
Rulemaking – Animal Healthcare Tasks
Ken Gordon, WSVMA: This healthcare task schedule is one of the best ways of improving technician utilization within practices and that would go a long way to taking