Report Title:

Veterinarians; Temporary Permit

Description:

Authorizes, upon certain conditions and without examination, temporary permits to be issued to veterinarians who are licensed in good standing in another state that has licensing standards equivalent to or higher than Hawaii's (HB1836 HD1).

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1836

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to veterinarians.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are not enough homes to accommodate the seventy thousand puppies and kittens born every day across the nation. In six years, one fertile female and male dog and their offspring could produce sixty-seven thousand puppies. In seven years, a pair of male and female cats and their offspring could produce four hundred twenty thousand kittens.

In Hawaii, the problem of unwanted animals is widespread. Some animals are abandoned and appear in shopping centers, hotels, small businesses, subdivisions, and residents' backyards. Many of these abandoned animals are unable to survive and die from starvation, disease, abuse, or when struck by cars. Each year in Hawaii, thousands of healthy, unwanted animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.

Studies show that spaying and neutering are the most effective and efficient means to control animal overpopulation, as well as to prevent abandonment and animal cruelty. Public education on the benefits of spaying and neutering is the best way to effect change in our community. However, there is a lack of qualified veterinarians to perform these services. The problem is especially acute in the county of Hawaii. The surgery facility at Keaau and Kona Humane Society has been without a veterinarian for over two years. As a result, adoption periods are delayed because private veterinarians are overwhelmed with sterilizations. In efforts to help control animal overpopulation, local veterinarians have contributed nearly one thousand low-cost spay and neuter services each year. Although helpful, it is not enough to cover the additional five thousand spay and neuter surgeries needed annually for the Hawaii Humane Society. More veterinarians are needed to help control animal overpopulation.

Veterinarians from other states who are vacationing in Hawaii have demonstrated an interest in assisting the State by volunteering to spay and neuter animals. However, Hawaii law only authorizes veterinarians licensed in the State of Hawaii to perform these services.

The purpose of this Act is to allow out-of-state veterinarians who are licensed in good standing by another state, to obtain a temporary veterinary permit to address animal overpopulation in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. Chapter 471, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§471- Temporary permit without examination; out-of-state veterinarians. (a) The board may grant a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine that shall not exceed ninety days per year to an applicant who has not fulfilled the requirements of section 471-8 but meets the requirements of this section and is found by the board to be fit to receive a permit.

(b) The applicant shall:

(1) Pay all required fees;

(2) Submit a completed application;

(3) Verify that the applicant:

(A) Has graduated from a general veterinarian education program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association;

(B) Holds a current active license issued by another state with licensing standards at least equivalent to Hawaii's standards that is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;

(C) Has not been subject to disciplinary action by any state or other jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed to practice veterinary medicine; provided that if the applicant has been subject to disciplinary action, the board shall review that action to determine if it warrants refusal to issue a temporary permit to the applicant; and

(D) Has no felony convictions of any kind and no other criminal convictions that may affect the applicant's ability to render competent veterinary care;

(4) Submit a self-query report from the National Practitioner Data Bank and verification of registration status with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The board shall review this information to determine if it warrants refusal to issue a temporary permit to the applicant; and

(5) Submit any other information required by the board to determine the applicant's fitness for a temporary permit.

(c) A temporary permit issued under this section shall authorize the holder to perform veterinary services that are:

(1) Limited to:

(A) Health examinations;

(B) Minor treatments, including treatment for internal and external parasites;

(C) Sterilization;

(D) Vaccination;

(E) Emergency first aid; and

(F) Euthanasia;

and

(2) Performed in conjunction with a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization or a government agency providing animal management services."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the board of veterinary examiners shall begin to accept applications for permits under section 2 no later than September 1, 2006.