ARC 5848C
VETERINARY MEDICINE BOARD[811]
Notice of Intended Action
Proposing rule making related to veterinarian/client/patient relationships
and providing an opportunity for public comment
The Board of Veterinary Medicine hereby proposes to amend Chapter 12, “Standards of Practice,” Iowa Administrative Code.
Legal Authority for Rule Making
This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 169.5.
State or Federal Law Implemented
This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 169.5.
Purpose and Summary
Currently, a veterinarian/client/patient relationship (VCPR) is established when three criteria are met. The proposed amendment revises one of these criteria by requiring that in order to maintain a VCPR, a veterinarian must perform a physical examination or have visited the patient on-site within the previous 12 months.
Fiscal Impact
This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.
Jobs Impact
After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.
Waivers
Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 811—Chapter 14.
Public Comment
Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Comments should be directed to:

Colin Tadlock
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Wallace State Office Building
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Email: colin.tadlock@iowaagriculture.gov	
Public Hearing
A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

September 1, 2021
10 to 11 a.m.	Second Floor Boardroom
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa	
Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making.
Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.
Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee
The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
The following rule-making action is proposed:
	Amend paragraph 12.1(1)“b” as follows:
	b. 	The licensed veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient. Sufficient knowledge means that the licensed veterinarian has recently seen or is personally acquainted with the care of the patient by virtue of an a physical examination of the patient or by medically appropriate and timely visits within the past 12 months to the premises where the patient is kept; and