February 15, 2021
States may want to defer discipline when veterinarians seek treatment
The AVMA advocates that state regulators consider leniency when veterinary professionals develop impairments but seek treatment to overcome those problems.
On Jan. 9, members of the AVMA House of Delegates voted to edit the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act to suggest that when veterinarians or veterinary technicians become unable to practice because of a physical or mental disability, state licensing boards should consider deferring disciplinary action upon receipt of signed agreements to enter approved treatment and monitoring programs. The model practice act states that examples of disabilities subject to disciplinary action include deteriorating mental capacity, loss of motor skills, and substance use disorders.
The AVMA publishes the Model Veterinary Practice Act for use by state regulators as they draft and revise rules on the practice of veterinary medicine. The added language states that deferred action should occur only in the absence of a conviction for a felony or any crimes related to controlled substances or sex offenses.
A statement provided to delegates with the resolution indicates the change in the model act closely aligns with a similar change enacted by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, which publishes its own Practice Act Model.
The AVMA House of Delegates approved the current model act in August 2019, following a revision process starting in 2016.
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