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Posted 14 April 2008
View legislative update (PDF)
New laws
With several state legislatures reaching the time for adjournment, more bills are getting passed and signed by governors.
In Colorado, Governor Ritter signed two animal-related bills, one that bars computer-assisted remote hunting and another that creates an exemption to the Colorado Veterinary Practice Act that would allow animal massage therapy by persons meeting certain training requirements, as long as they do not prescribe drugs, perform surgery, or diagnose medical conditions.
In Utah, several newly enacted laws relate to the practice of veterinary medicine. SB 66 enacts the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to govern practitioners from outside the state who provide veterinary services in response to declared emergencies. SB 297 increases penalties for animal cruelty and gives veterinarians immunity for good-faith reporting of an incident of animal cruelty. Finally, SB 113 classifies as confidential contact information of individuals who perform medical or scientific research on animals at state educational institutions.
Washington became the ninth state to sign into law a food animal veterinarian scholarship or loan repayment program. Under this program, up to two students at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine may receive a conditional scholarship if they devote at least 50% of practice to large production animal practice in the state.
Introduced legislation
Louisiana introduced SB 544, which would authorize a physical therapist to perform on animals if a licensed veterinarian provides medical clearance before the therapy is performed.
In California, legislation was introduced that would make it unlawful for a city or county to prohibit persons from engaging in acts that fall within the statutory or regulatory definition of that business, occupation, or profession. The legislation, supported by the California Veterinary Medical Association, is a response to recent court rulings upholding West Hollywood's ban on the declawing of domestic cats, with the goal of having one set of rules regulating the practice of veterinary medicine.
South Carolina introduced HB 5010, breed-specific legislation, defining dangerous animals to include certain breeds or species, including pit bulls. The bill would also allow county governing bodies to designate other breeds or species as dangerous animals.
Court watch
On April 4th, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state's "first free bite" rule does not absolve dog owners from responsibility to stop an attack once it begins. The unanimous opinion reverses two lower courts, which ruled that a plaintiff could not sue the owner of three dogs that attacked her in 2001. Wounds to her legs, arms and back took more than two years to heal. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant stood and watched the attack, failing to intervene. The Texas court ruled that a pet owner owes a duty to stop the dog from attacking a person after the attack has begun.
Unusual bill of the month
Moving against recent trends, Hawaii Rep. Rida Cabanilla introduced HCR 180, asking the United Nations to "officially commemorate cockfighting as a global sport," saying it "has a very long and cherished tradition in many cultures across the planet," and that "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson recognized the value of cockfighting, as participants in that sport." StateNet reports that a few years ago Rep. Cabanilla proposed a bill that would have forced teachers to be weighed every six months, with sanctions against those deemed to be too heavy.
The link at the top of the page takes you to the latest chart of significant pending bills and regulations from around the country. Thank you for keeping us informed on legislative developments in your state.
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