HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

144

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the Board of Veterinary Examiners to convene a task force to examine the feasibility of establishing a continuing education requirement for veterinarians.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, it is of primary importance to the public that veterinarians continue their education throughout the period of their active practice of veterinary medicine; and

 

     WHEREAS, requiring a continued commitment to professional education would enable veterinarians to stay up-to-date in the field of veterinary medicine and be aware of new advancements or concerns; and

 

     WHEREAS, continuing education courses assist veterinarians in providing better, more specialized treatment of animals; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is one of only a few states that do not require continuing education for veterinarians; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's geographic location presents unique challenges for a veterinarian continuing education requirement and necessitates further collaboration on the topic; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Board of Veterinary Examiners is requested to convene a task force to examine the feasibility of establishing a continuing education requirement for veterinarians; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include but not be limited to:

 

     (1)  The Executive Officer of the Board of Veterinary Examiners, or the Executive Officer's designee;

 

     (2)  The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaiian Humane Society, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (3)  The President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, or the President's designee; and

 

     (4)  Members of the veterinary community deemed appropriate by the Chairperson of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Officer of the Board of Veterinary Examiners is requested to serve as the Chairperson of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to consider:

 

     (1)  The amount and type of continuing education that should be required for veterinarians;

 

     (2)  The person or entity that should monitor veterinarians for compliance with the continuing education requirement;

 

     (3)  Whether certain individuals should be exempt from any continuing education requirement; and

 

     (4)  The challenges presented by Hawaii's unique geographic location and ways in which more continuing education opportunities may be made available; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Officer of the Board of Veterinary Examiners, the President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and the President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Veterinarians; Continuing Education; Licensing