Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1183

Introduced
2/22/23  
Introduced
2/22/23  

Caption

A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 541.)

Impact

The legislation significantly impacts the licensing and regulatory framework surrounding veterinary medicine in Iowa. It establishes clear paths for certification of veterinary technicians, delineating their scope of practice under varying levels of supervision, which includes direct, immediate, and indirect supervision by licensed veterinarians. This framework is designed to enhance animal care while ensuring that veterinary practices operate within defined legal and professional standards. Additionally, it creates new penalties for practicing veterinary medicine without a license, incentivizing compliance and ensuring that animals receive proper care.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1183, an act regulating veterinary medicine in Iowa, introduces comprehensive changes to the practice of veterinary care. It emphasizes that veterinary medical services must be provided under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, establishing a framework for veterinary technicians and auxiliary personnel. The bill clarifies definitions related to animals, surgery, and diagnosis while establishing the conditions under which various levels of veterinary personnel can operate. Notably, it expands the definition of 'animal' to include livestock and incorporates new terms specific to veterinary practice.

Contention

Despite the positive intent of SSB1183, there may be contention regarding its implementation, particularly concerning the scope of authority granted to veterinary auxiliary personnel. Critics might argue that the delegation of responsibilities could potentially compromise animal welfare if not correctly regulated. Moreover, the establishment of penalties for violations of the act raises concerns about fair enforcement, especially in rural areas where access to licensed veterinarians may be limited. The legislation's effectiveness will depend significantly on the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine's ability to enact and enforce appropriate regulations and oversight mechanisms.

Companion Bills

IA HSB139

Related A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 640, HF 670.)

IA SF541

Replaced by A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1183.)

IA HF640

Replaced by A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 139; See HF 670.)

IA HF670

Replaced by A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 640, HSB 139.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2024.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2402

A bill for an act providing for the administration of a rabies vaccine to an animal by a registered veterinary technician performing the task under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

IA HF869

A bill for an act providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters involving the alleged mistreatment of animals, including by providing for immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith; providing for administrative, civil, or criminal liability when not acting in good faith; and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HSB 245.)

IA HSB245

A bill for an act providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters involving the alleged mistreatment of animals, including by providing for immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith; providing for administrative, civil, or criminal liability when not acting in good faith; and making penalties applicable.(See HF 869.)

IA HF227

A bill for an act providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters involving the alleged mistreatment of animals, including by providing for immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith; providing for administrative, civil, or criminal liability when not acting in good faith; and making penalties applicable.

IA SB105

Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians; licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; authorize

IA HB1287

An Act to direct the Board of Veterinary Medicine to amend its licensure application for veterinarians to include an option for veterinarians to indicate interest in serving as a veterinarian for animal shelters and to maintain a list of veterinarians who indicate such interest.

IA HB1408

Veterinarians; authorize licensed veterinary technicians to administer antirabies vaccinations to animals

IA HF2525

A bill for an act creating tax deductions against the individual income tax for veterinarians by providing a deduction for income resulting from rural veterinarian loan repayments and by allowing a deduction for the amount of interest paid on student loans for attendance at a veterinary school, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

IA SB85

Veterinary medicine; veterinarian-client-patient relationship further specified; scope of practice inside and outside veterinarian-client-patient relationship further defined

IA SB2017

Chiropractors; allow to perform chiropractic upon animals without the supervision of a veterinarian.

Similar Bills

CO HB1285

Veterinary Workforce Requirements

AZ HB4019

veterinary practices; ownership; oversight

FL H0805

Veterinary Medicine

FL S0796

Veterinary Medicine

NJ A1427

Requires licensure for veterinary technicians.

MS SB2282

Veterinarians; allow to practice when educated at foreign institution and satisfied additional requirements.

CA AB516

Registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants: scope of practice.

GA SB105

Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians; licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; authorize