HF 2402 (LSB 5913YH (8) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2402

BY  BARKER

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.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 169.3, subsection 11, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  (1)  “Practice of veterinary medicine” does not include providing authorized veterinary medical services to an animal patient by veterinary auxiliary personnel when performing a delegated task under the supervision of a supervising veterinarian as provided in subchapter II.
   (2)  Subparagraph (1) does not prevent a registered veterinary technician from administering a rabies vaccine, if the registered veterinary technician performs the task under the supervision of a supervising veterinarian as provided in subchapter II.
    Sec. 2.  Section 351.35, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   351.35  How and when Procedures.
   1.  The rabies vaccination required by section 351.33 shall be an injection of antirabies vaccine approved by the state department of agriculture and land stewardship, and the. The department may provide for the frequency of any necessary revaccination necessary for approved vaccinations shall be as established by such department.
   2.  The vaccine described in subsection 1 shall be administered by a any of the following:
   a.  A licensed veterinarian and acting under chapter 169.
   b.  A registered veterinary technician performing the task under the supervision of a supervising veterinarian as described in chapter 169, subchapter II.
   3.  The vaccine described in subsection 1 shall be given as administered in a manner approved by the state department of agriculture and land stewardship.
   4.  The licensed veterinarian or registered veterinary technician shall issue a tag with the certificate of vaccination, and such tag shall at all times be attached to the collar of the dog.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill provides that a registered veterinary technician acting under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (referred to as a supervising veterinarian) may administer a rabies vaccination to an animal.
   BACKGROUND. Code chapter 169 regulates the practice of veterinary medicine by an individual who has received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree or equivalent and is licensed by the Iowa board of veterinary medicine (board). Generally, a person who is not a licensed veterinarian cannot practice veterinary medicine. The practice of veterinary medicine includes the prescription or administration of any drug. Certain individuals who are not veterinarians (veterinary auxiliary personnel) may perform delegated tasks under different levels of supervision by a supervising veterinarian, including direct supervision (when the veterinarian is readily available on the premises), intermediate supervision (when the veterinarian is within audible and visual range), and indirect supervision (when the veterinarian has provided written instruction for an animal’s treatment and is readily available by telephone or other means of immediate communication). One type of veterinary auxiliary personnel is a veterinary technician who has graduated from an accredited or approved veterinary technology program, has received a passing score on a national veterinarian technician examination, and is issued a certificate of registration by the board (Code section 169.34). Code chapter 351 requires dogs to be administered a rabies vaccination (Code section 351.35) and administered an antirabies vaccine approved by the department of agriculture and land stewardship (Code section 169.36).