HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 94635        FILED ON: 4/27/2010

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4635

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Ten

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An Act to provide for the safe care and treatment of animals..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 1: There shall be a special commission to consider the regulation and licensure of veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in the Commonwealth.  The commission shall consist of the following members:    The Chairman of the Commonwealth’s Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine or his designee, who shall serve as chair of the commission; the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources or his designee; the Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation or his designee; two representatives of the Massachusetts Veterinary Technical Association; and two representatives of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association.  

Section 2: The Commission shall broadly consider whether changes should be recommended, either through statute or regulation, in the education, regulation, licensure, supervision or oversight of veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.  Specifically, the commission shall:

a) consider whether the current regulation of Assistants and Veterinary Technicians under 256 CMR 8.00: M.G.L. c.112 Sections 54 and 58 is adequate to protect the health and safety of animals under veterinary care;

b) consider whether and how to encourage greater professional knowledge and skill levels for veterinary assistants and/or technicians;   

c) address the impact of recent changes in the Veterinary Technician Technical Examination requirements  

d) consider issues relative to supervision, experience, education, and training of veterinary assistants and technicians

3) take into account the special requirements of veterinary technical assistants and technicians working for the Department of Agriculture

Section 3: The commission shall make a report, including recommendations for changes to statute or regulation, to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and the Joint Committee on Licensure and Consumer Protection by May 1, 2011.