AN ACT Relating to creating a veterinary disciplinary board; amending RCW 18.92.015 and 18.92.030; and adding new sections to chapter 18.92 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 21, chapter 71, Laws of 1941 as last amended by section 1, chapter 102, Laws of 1983 and RCW 18.92.015 are each amended to read as follows:

The term "board" used in this chapter shall mean the Washington state veterinary board of governors; the term "disciplinary board" shall mean the Washington state veterinary disciplinary board; and the term ((~~"director"~~)) "secretary" shall mean the ((~~director of licensing~~)) secretary of health of the state of Washington. "Animal technician" shall mean a person who has successfully completed an examination administered by the board and who has either successfully completed a post high school course approved by the board in the care and treatment of animals, or a person who has had five years practical experience acceptable to the board with a licensed veterinarian.

Sec. 2. Section 4, chapter 71, Laws of 1941 as last amended by section 140, chapter 259, Laws of 1986 and RCW 18.92.030 are each amended to read as follows:

It shall be the duty of the board to prepare examination questions, conduct examinations, and grade the answers of applicants. The board, pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, shall have the power to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter including ((the performance of the duties and responsibilities of animal technicians: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such rules are adopted in the interest of good veterinary health care delivery to the consuming public, and do not prevent animal technicians from inoculating an animal. The board shall further have the power to adopt, by reasonable rules and regulations, standards prescribing requirements for veterinary medical facilities and to fix)) fixing minimum standards of continuing veterinary medical education.

The department shall be the official office of record.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is created a Washington state veterinary disciplinary board consisting of six members, five of whom shall be licensed veterinarians, and one of whom shall be a lay member.

(2) The licensed members shall be appointed by the governor. At the time of their appointment the licensed members of the disciplinary board must be actual residents of the state in active practice as licensed practitioners of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry and must be citizens of the United States. Not more than one licensed member shall be from the same congressional district. The disciplinary board shall not be deemed to be unlawfully constituted and a member of the disciplinary board shall not be deemed ineligible to serve the remainder of the member's unexpired term on the disciplinary board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts.

The terms of the first licensed members of the disciplinary board shall be as follows: One member for five, four, three, two, and one years respectively. Thereafter the terms shall be for five years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(3) The lay member shall be appointed by the governor for a five-year term and until the lay member's successor is appointed.

(4) A member may be appointed to serve a second term, if that term does not run consecutively. Vacancies in the disciplinary board shall be filled by the governor, the appointee to hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(5) Officers of the disciplinary board shall be a chairman and a secretary-treasurer to be chosen by the members of the board from among its members.

(6) Four members of the disciplinary board shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the disciplinary board.

(7) Any member of the disciplinary board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office, after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity to be heard on the charges.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:

In addition to any other authority provided by law, the disciplinary board shall have the authority to adopt such rules as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter including the performance of the duties and responsibilities of animal technicians: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such rules are adopted in the interest of good veterinary health care delivery to the consuming public, and do not prevent animal technicians from inoculating an animal. The disciplinary board shall further have the power to adopt, by reasonable rules, standards prescribing requirements for veterinary medical facilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:

Each member of the disciplinary board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. No expense may be incurred by members of the board except in connection with disciplinary board meetings without prior approval of the director.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 18.92 RCW to read as follows:

The disciplinary board may meet, function, and exercise its powers at any place within the state.