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SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 6037
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AS
AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
Passed
Legislature - 2002 Regular Session
State of Washington 57th
Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By
READ FIRST TIME 03/05/01.
Authorizing
animal care and control agencies and nonprofit humane societies to provide
limited veterinarian services.
AN
ACT Relating to authorizing animal care and control agencies and nonprofit
humane societies to provide limited veterinarian services; adding new sections
to chapter 18.92 RCW; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A
new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:
The
legislature recognizes that low-income households may not receive needed
veterinary services for household pets. It is the intent of the legislature to
allow qualified animal control agencies and humane societies to provide limited
veterinary services to low‑income members of our communities. It is not
the intent of the legislature to allow these agencies to provide veterinary
services to the public at large.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:
(1)(a)
Subject to the limitations in this section, animal care and control agencies as
defined in RCW 16.52.011 and nonprofit humane societies, that have qualified
under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code may provide limited
veterinary services to animals owned by qualified low-income households. The
veterinary services provided shall be limited to electronic identification,
surgical sterilization, and vaccinations. A veterinarian or veterinary
technician acting within his or her scope of practice must perform the limited
veterinary services. For purposes of this section, "low-income household"
means the same as in RCW 43.185A.010.
(b)
Animal control agencies and nonprofit humane societies, receiving animals on an
emergency basis, may provide emergency care, subject to a local ordinance that
defines an emergency situation and establishes temporary time limits.
(c)
Any local ordinance addressing the needs under this section that was approved
by the voters and is in effect on the effective date of this act remains in
effect.
(2)
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians employed at these facilities must be
licensed under this chapter. No officer, director, supervisor, or any other
individual associated with an animal care or control agency or nonprofit humane
society owning and operating a veterinary medical facility may impose any terms
or conditions of employment or direct or attempt to direct an employed
veterinarian in any way that interferes with the free exercise of the
veterinarian's professional judgment or infringes upon the utilization of his
or her professional skills.
(3)
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal control agencies and humane
societies acting under this section shall, for purposes of providing the
limited veterinary services, meet the requirements established under this
chapter and are subject to the rules adopted by the veterinary board of
governors in the same fashion as any licensed veterinarian or veterinary
medical facility in the state.
(4)
The Washington state veterinary board of governors shall adopt rules to:
(a)
Establish registration and registration renewal requirements;
(b)
Govern the purchase and use of drugs for the limited veterinary services
authorized under this section; and
(c)
Ensure that agencies and societies are in compliance with this section.
(5)
The limited veterinary medical service authority granted by registration under
this section may be denied, suspended, revoked, or conditioned by a
determination of the board of governors for any act of noncompliance with this
chapter. The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs
unregistered operation, the issuance and denial of registrations, and the
discipline of registrants under this section.
(6)
No animal control agency or humane society may operate under this chapter
without registering with the department. An application for registration shall
be made upon forms provided by the department and shall include the information
the department reasonably requires, as provided by RCW 43.70.280. The department
shall establish registration and renewal fees as provided by RCW 43.70.250. A
registration fee shall accompany each application for registration or renewal.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This
act takes effect July 1, 2003.
