SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1776

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES,

                                MARCH 26, 1991

Brief Description:  Establishing a license to practice specialized veterinary medicine.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Day, Moyer, Zellinsky and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Health).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, and Hansen. 

Staff:  Steve Nelsen (786‑7535)

Hearing Dates:March 22, 1991; March 26, 1991

BACKGROUND:

As the practice of veterinary medicine has grown, veterinarians have developed specialized areas of practice and some earn national certification in specialty areas.  The Department of Health has requested the creation of a license to practice specialized veterinary medicine.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Health may issue a license to practice specialized veterinary medicine to a veterinarian who holds a certification from a national specialty board or college and is not subject to any disciplinary action in the U.S. or Canada.  Veterinarians may not practice outside of their specialty area unless they meet the requirements for that practice in current law.  The Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors is required to develop rules determining the limits of the specialty areas to assist specialized veterinarians in avoiding practice outside their specialties.  The board may revoke the specialty license if veterinarians lose their national certification.

The Secretary of the Department of Health replaces the Director of the Department of Licensing in determining the fees for the issuance, renewal, or administration of: veterinary licenses, certificates of registration as an animal technician, temporary veterinary permits, and licenses to practice specialized veterinary medicine.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested March 15, 1991

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

Veterinarians may not practice outside of their specialty area unless they meet the requirements for that practice in current law.

TESTIMONY FOR:

There are only 14 veterinarians currently board certified as specialists and 11 of those are in King County.  The need and demand for specialists has grown as veterinary medicine has become more complex.  A specialized veterinary license would attract specialists from other states and encourage in-state veterinarians who might want to specialize their practice.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Susan Shirley, Veterinary Board of Gov. (pro); Greg Hanon, WA State Veterinary Medical Assoc. (pro)