Legislative

15 June

Prescription mandates: new bill, same problems

wsvma   |   Legislative

For several consecutive congressional sessions, the AVMA has led the charge to defeat legislation that would require veterinarians to provide written copies of all prescriptions for companion animals – even if not requested or wanted by the client. The misleadingly named “Fairness to Pet Owners Act” has had several sponsors over the years and has been introduced once again in both the House and Senate. Despite some language changes, the effect would be the same as in years past: this bill...

Read More

01 June

Senate Bill 6196 and expanded veterinary services by WA shelters

wsvma   |   Legislative

In January, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington authored legislation, Senate Bill 6196, that would grant registered animal care and control agencies and humane societies in Washington the ability to provide full veterinary services to low income pet owners who fall below the 80% median income level. The intent of the legislation is to expand the law that currently limits shelter organizations to sterilization, vaccination and electronic identification. When a bill is introduced in the legislature that would affect veterinarians and...

Read More

11 May

Political animals wanted

wsvma   |   Legislative

Well, not really, but we are in need of members who share an interest in veterinary issues as they intersect with the legislative process. 2018 is an election year and not just at the federal level. Elections for statewide offices are heating up. Members contribute money to the WSVMA-Political Action Committee (PAC) which is used to support candidates in the election that are friendly to veterinary issues, animal welfare and small business. For both the primary and the general election, the...

Read More

13 April

Emergency volunteer veterinarians, CVI exemption removal and service animal bills signed into law

wsvma   |   Legislative

Following the close of the legislative session last month, Gov. Inslee signed veterinary and animal related bills into law. The Uniform Voluntary Health Practitioners Act was enacted, which will allow volunteer health practitioners, including veterinarians, who are licensed and in good standing in another state, to practice in Washington while an emergency declaration is in effect. Regardless of whether the practitioner is licensed in Washington or another state, they must provide services through a host entity, adhere to their scope...

Read More

06 April

Legislation across the U.S. affects veterinary medicine

wsvma   |   Legislative

States continue to work through important veterinary issues including antimicrobial resistance, prescription drug monitoring programs, scope of practice, continuing education, and euthanasia. On the topic of antimicrobial resistance, a bill introduced in Illinois would allow a food-producing animal to receive a medically important antibiotic only if a licensed veterinarian has visited the farm operation within the past 6 months and the antibiotic is deemed necessary to treat or control the spread of a disease. In the face of a growing nation-wide opioid...

Read More

23 March

Gender pay equity, sexual harassment, and criminal history disclosure laws adopted by Washington Legislature

wsvma   |   Legislative

Washington legislation that allows co-workers to freely discuss how much money they’re paid has been signed into law and will become effective mid-June. The new law is aimed at supporting gender pay equity by giving female employees the opportunity to find out whether they’re being undercompensated without fear of retaliation. Amendments made to the existing law apply to employers regardless of the number of employees and prohibit Washington employers from discriminating among employees with similar jobs by providing less wages and...

Read More

09 March

Legislative session adjourns – HEAL-WA and opioid bills fail

wsvma   |   Legislative

The 2018 Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday March 8, the first on-time adjournment in several years. WSVMA’s Heal-WA legislation granting veterinarians and veterinary technicians access to the online medical publication program never made it out of the Senate. Despite overwhelming support from legislators, the WSVMA bill couldn’t compete with the over 800 bills introduced into the short 60-day session. The legislation will carry over to the 2019 legislative session where we’ll work for passage again. House Bill (HB)...

Read More

16 February

Mid-session legislative report

wsvma   |   Legislative

Wednesday, February 14 was crossover for bills to pass out of the House of origin. Committee consideration now starts in committees of the opposite house.  Bills must be passed out of committee by February 23. HEAL- WA – WSVMA’s House Bill 2445, which opens access to online medical and veterinary journals for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, passed the House unanimously. It will be heard in the Senate Health Care Committee on February 22. Humane Societies - The WSVMA testified in opposition to...

Read More

12 January

Legislative Report – expanded veterinary services by non-profits and opioid bills frame the session

wsvma   |   Legislative

The 2018 session of the Washington State legislature convened for a 60-day legislative session on Monday January 8. After a 2017 session that required three 30-day special sessions the legislature is committed to adjourn on time in 2018.  To do so, they will be required to work at a very fast pace, and so far, several hundred bills have been introduced, as well as dozens of committee hearings held.  This is different than most sessions where the first week is...

Read More

05 January

States consider Emergency Response and Veterinary Opioid Training

wsvma   |   Legislative

As state legislatures approach the start of the legislative year, lawmakers in several states have begun to pre-file bills and regulations for consideration. Along-with these pre-filed bills, other legislatures have continued to work through the holiday season and have proposed bills and regulations that impact various areas of veterinary medicine. In light of recent environmental disasters, three states- Florida, New York, and Washington - have proposed legislation geared towards emergency preparedness and veterinary care of animals impacted by extreme weather. In...

Read More