HF 2553

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/27/2022 06:47pm

A bill for an act
relating to veterinary medicine; regulating veterinary technicians, veterinary
assistants, and the practice of veterinary technology; amending Minnesota Statutes
2020, sections 156.001, by adding subdivisions; 156.07; 156.072, by adding a
subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 156.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Direct supervision. new text end

new text begin "Direct supervision" means: (1) when a supervising
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician is in the immediate area and within audible
or visual range of an animal and the veterinary assistant treating the animal; (2) the
supervising veterinarian has met the requirements of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship
under section 156.16, subdivision 12; and (3) the supervising veterinarian assumes
responsibility for the professional care given to an animal by a person working under the
veterinarian's direction.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Licensed veterinary technician. new text end

new text begin "Licensed veterinary technician" means a
person licensed by the board under section 156.077.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 10b. new text end

new text begin Remote supervision. new text end

new text begin "Remote supervision" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) a veterinarian is not on the premises but is acquainted with the keeping and care of
an animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or medically appropriate and timely
visits to the premises where the animal is kept;
new text end

new text begin (2) the veterinarian has given written or oral instructions to a licensed veterinary
technician for treatment of an animal and is available by telephone or other form of immediate
communication; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the timely entry of treatment provided by a veterinarian is documented into the
animal's medical record.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 10c. new text end

new text begin Veterinary assistant. new text end

new text begin "Veterinary assistant" means an employee of a licensed
veterinarian who is not a licensed veterinary technician but is considered by the veterinarian
to be competent to administer medication or render auxiliary or supporting assistance under
supervision.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Veterinary technology. new text end

new text begin "Veterinary technology" means the science of
providing all aspects of professional medical care and treatment for animals as determined
by board regulation and under the appropriate supervision of a licensed veterinarian, with
the exception of diagnosis, prognosis, surgery, and prescription.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.07, is amended to read:

156.07 LICENSE RENEWAL.

Persons licensed under this chapter shall conspicuously display their license in their
principal place of business.

Persons now qualified to practice veterinary medicine new text begin or veterinary technology new text end in this
state, or who shall hereafter be licensed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine to engage in
the practice new text begin of veterinary medicine or veterinary technology new text end , shall periodically renew their
license in a manner prescribed by the board. The board shall establish license renewal fees
and continuing education requirements. The board may establish, by rule, an inactive license
category, at a lower fee, for licensees not actively engaged in the practice of veterinary
medicine new text begin or veterinary technology new text end within the state of Minnesota. The board may assess a
charge for delinquent payment of a renewal fee.

Any person who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine new text begin or veterinary technology new text end in
this state pursuant to this chapter, shall be entitled to receive a license to continue to practice
upon making application to the board and complying with the terms of this section and rules
of the board.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 156.072, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Veterinary technicians. new text end

new text begin A credentialed veterinary technician duly admitted
to practice in any state, commonwealth, territory, or district of the United States or province
of Canada that desires permission to practice veterinary technology in this state shall submit
an application to the board on a form furnished by the board. The board shall review an
application for transfer if the applicant supplies proof of:
new text end

new text begin (1) credential to practice in a United States or Canadian jurisdiction; and
new text end

new text begin (2) active engagement in the practice of veterinary technology for at least three of the
five years preceding the application, full-time teaching of veterinary technology in an
approved or accredited college for at least three of the five years preceding the application,
or any combination thereof.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [156.077] LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Licensure; practice. new text end

new text begin (a) The board shall issue a license to practice
veterinary technology to an applicant who satisfies the requirements in this section and
those imposed by the board in rule. A licensed veterinary technician may practice veterinary
technology. Unless authorized to practice veterinary technology by the board, a person may
not practice veterinary technology or use the title "veterinary technician" or the abbreviation
"LVT."
new text end

new text begin (b) The board may adopt by rule additional licensure requirements or definitions for
veterinary technicians.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Applicants; qualifications. new text end

new text begin Application for a license to practice veterinary
technology in this state shall be made to the board on a form furnished by the board and
accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is at least 18 years of
age, is of good moral character, and has met the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) graduated from a veterinary technology program accredited or approved by the
American Veterinary Medical Association or Canadian Veterinary Medical Association;
new text end

new text begin (2) received a passing score for the Veterinary Technician National Examination;
new text end

new text begin (3) received a passing score for the Minnesota Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence
Examination; and
new text end

new text begin (4) completed a criminal background check.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Required with application. new text end

new text begin A completed application must contain the following
information and material:
new text end

new text begin (1) the application fee set by the board, which is not refundable if permission to take the
jurisprudence examination is denied for good cause;
new text end

new text begin (2) proof of graduation from a veterinary technology program accredited or approved
by the American Veterinary Medical Association or Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association;
new text end

new text begin (3) affidavits from at least two licensed veterinarians and three adults who are not related
to the applicant that establish how long, when, and under what circumstances the references
have known the applicant and any other facts that may enable the board to determine the
applicant's qualifications; and
new text end

new text begin (4) if the applicant has served in the armed forces, a copy of the applicant's discharge
papers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Temporary alternative qualifications. new text end

new text begin The board shall consider an application
for licensure submitted by a person before July 1, 2024, if the person provides evidence
satisfactory to the board that the person:
new text end

new text begin (1) is a certified veterinary technician in good standing with the Minnesota Veterinary
Medical Association; or
new text end

new text begin (2) has at least 4,160 hours actively engaged in the practice of veterinary technology
within the previous five years and a letter of recommendation from a licensed veterinarian
who is in good standing with the board and was associated with the license applicant during
that period.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [156.078] VETERINARY ASSISTANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A veterinary assistant may only administer medication or render auxiliary or
supporting assistance under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or licensed
veterinary technician.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not prohibit:
new text end

new text begin (1) the performance of generalized nursing tasks ordered by the veterinarian and
performed by an unlicensed employee on inpatient animals during the hours when a
veterinarian is not routinely on the premises; or
new text end

new text begin (2) under emergency conditions, an unlicensed employee from rendering lifesaving aid
and treatment to an animal in the absence of a veterinarian if the animal is in a life-threatening
condition and requires immediate treatment to sustain life or prevent further injury.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end