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Posted 15 February 2006
View legislative update (PDF)
It's mid-February – a time to celebrate Valentine's Day, and for the East Coast to shovel its way out of the latest snow storm. It's also a time when many legislative and regulatory initiatives begin to move toward passage, while others languish or die.
We are tracking and have assisted state VMAs on several high profile measures designed to expand the scope of authority of non-veterinarians to practice on animals. These include: Arizona (various therapies), Florida (various therapies), New Mexico (chiropractors), South Dakota (equine dentistry), Tennessee (artificial insemination) and Virginia (equine dentistry). The bills in New Mexico, South Dakota, and Virginia do not appear to have much chance for passage this year. The VMAs in those states deserve credit for their role in opposing the legislation.
In Alabama and Oregon, physical and message therapy boards approved rules permitting work on animals, with appropriate training and involvement by a veterinarian.
Numerous bills and ordinances have been introduced to regulate dangerous and vicious dogs. Ominous breed-specific bills are pending in Colorado, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma.
A couple of animal welfare bills are receiving national attention. In Vermont, SB 250 would prohibit ear cropping of dogs unless performed by a veterinarian for therapeutic purposes. Delaware SB 253 states that caged egg-laying hens may not be confined to living space that does not allow sufficient space to fully extend all limbs without touching the sides of the living space, except for transport, slaughter or veterinary care.
A final congratulatory note goes to the Mississippi VMA for helping defeat a bill calling for allowing non-economic damages in negligence cases involving injury to pets. The bill died in committee a few days ago.
Many of these issues will be covered in detail at the AVMA State Public Policy Symposium on December 2-3, 2006. Please mark your calendar – and look for more information in the coming months.
This month's update chart is attached. Please continue to share your thoughts and suggestions with us regarding state legislative and regulatory affairs. Thank you for your support.
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