FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6037

C 157 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing animal care and control agencies and nonprofit humane societies to provide limited veterinarian services.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Kohl‑Welles and Parlette).

Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Background:  Animal control agencies and humane societies are not allowed to offer veterinarian services to the public.  Additionally, only licensed veterinarians are allowed to operate a business that practices veterinary medicine.  There is a desire that animal control agencies and humane societies be allowed to provide some veterinary care in case of emergencies and basic services to low-income pet owners.

Summary:  Animal control agencies and humane societies are allowed to use only veterinarians or veterinary technicians acting within his or her scope of practice to perform limited services to animals owned by low-income households.  The limited services that can be provided by animal control and humane societies continue to include electronic identification, surgical sterilization, and vaccinations.

The Veterinary Board of Governors must adopt rules that establish registration requirements, governs the purchase of drugs used at these facilities, and ensures compliance.  The limited service authority granted by registration may be denied, revoked or conditioned by the board.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act is to govern unregistered operation, issuance and denial of registrations, and discipline of registrants.  The Department of Health must establish registration fees.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate460

House951(House amended)

Senate430(Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 2003