HF3718

Purpose

• The bill updates Minnesota law to govern the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. It adds new definitions, aligns accreditation terminology with national standards, and clarifies roles, permissions, and activities related to caring for animals (including how clients interact with veterinarians, what counts as dispensing and consulting, and how off-label or emergency care can be provided).

Main Provisions

• Accreditation groundwork

  • Defines Accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine as a school that offers the doctor of veterinary medicine degree and meets American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education standards.
  • Defines Accredited program of veterinary technology as a postsecondary program offering a veterinary technology degree (or equivalent) and accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

• New and clarified definitions

  • Animal: Clarified to exclude poultry; includes nonhuman mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles.
  • Client: Means a patient’s owner, owner’s agent, or other person presenting a patient for care.
  • Compensation: Includes all fees, monetary rewards, discounts, remuneration, and emoluments (paid or received).
  • Consent: Verbal or written permission to exams, tests, procedures, or treatments, express or implied.
  • Consulting: Seeking and receiving advice from a licensed veterinarian or other relevant expert by any method (in person, phone, electronic, etc.) to help manage a case.
  • Dispensing: Distributing veterinary drugs that require a prescription, over-the-counter drugs for a patient, or human drugs for off-label use for a patient, by a licensed pharmacist or a person licensed by the Veterinary Medicine board.
  • Donor: An individual 18+ or a legally authorized entity that donates medication or supplies, meeting legal requirements for donation.
  • Emergency stabilization: Providing care for a lifethreatening condition when immediate treatment is needed to sustain life, prevent deterioration, or alleviate suffering.
  • Extralabel use (off-label use): Using a human or veterinary drug in animals in a manner not described on the drug’s labeling.

• Key definitional additions to practice

  • Licensed veterinary technician or veterinary technician: A person licensed by the veterinary board (board of veterinary medicine) as a veterinary technician.

• Reorganization and codification

  • The bill adds multiple subdivisions and repeals several older subdivisions and sections within Minnesota Statutes 2024, relocating or codifying definitions and related rules into Minnesota Statutes chapter 156, aligning with the new definitions and practices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expanded terminology and definitions: Adds comprehensive definitions for client, consent, consulting, dispensing, donor, emergency stabilization, extralabel use, and related terms to modernize and clarify veterinary practice.
• Accreditation alignment: Establishes clear criteria for what counts as an accredited college of veterinary medicine and an accredited veterinary technology program, referencing AVMA standards.
• Practice scope clarifications: By defining terms like consulting, dispensing, and extralabel use, the bill clarifies allowable activities and the roles of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in clinical care.
• Emergency and off-label care: Codifies emergency stabilization and extralabel use definitions, potentially affecting when and how off-label or lifesaving interventions can be used.
• Client and donor concepts: Introduces and defines the role of clients and donors in veterinary care and drug/patient handling.
• Administrative changes: Repeals certain existing subdivisions and sections as part of the transition to the new structure, consolidating related provisions under the revised framework.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

• Clarity for practitioners: Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and clinics gain clearer definitions for common activities (consenting, consulting, dispensing, off-label use, and emergency care).
• Accreditation requirements: Programs and colleges must meet AVMA standards to be recognized under the new definitions, which could affect education providers and licensing pathways.
• Drug handling and safety: Dispensing and donor provisions may influence how medicines and supplies are distributed within clinics and through donors or pharmacies.
• Patient care workflow: The client and consent definitions may affect how information is gathered, how decisions are communicated, and who has authority to approve procedures.
• Emergency and off-label procedures: Explicit definitions for emergency stabilization and extralabel use could impact clinical decision-making in urgent situations.

Terminology Inclusion (key terms carried into summary)

• Accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine
• Accredited program of veterinary technology
• Animal
• Client
• Consent
• Consulting
• Dispensing
• Donor
• Emergency stabilization
• Extralabel use
• Licensed veterinary technician
• AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Board of Pharmacy
• Board of Veterinary Medicine
• Minnesota Statutes chapter 156

Relevant Terms - Accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine - Accredited program of veterinary technology - Animal - Client - Consent - Consulting - Dispensing - Donor - Emergency stabilization - Extralabel use - Licensed veterinary technician - AVMA - Board of Pharmacy - Board of Veterinary Medicine - Minnesota Statutes 156