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Minnesota2026Passed Legislature

HF3718

Changes to Veterinary Medicine and Technology Rules

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM

In one sentence

This bill updates legal definitions for terms used in Minnesota laws about veterinary medicine and technology.

What it does

  • Adds official definitions for 'client,' 'consent,' 'patient,' and 'emergency stabilization.'
  • Updates the definition of 'animal' to mean any organism except humans that has sensation, voluntary movement, and needs oxygen and organic nutrients.
  • Defines what counts as an accredited program for veterinary technicians.
  • Adds a definition for 'dispensing' drugs, including human drugs used in extra-label ways.
  • Changes the definition of 'licensee' to include both veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Who it affects

  • Licensed veterinarians practicing in Minnesota
  • Licensed veterinary technicians working with animals

Limits and unknowns

  • This text only shows changes to definitions and does not list specific new rules on how vets must act.
  • One section has a start date of July 1, 2026, but effective dates for other parts are not listed in this excerpt.

Plain language

Terms to know

Extra-label use
Using a human or veterinary drug on an animal in a way that does not match the drug's label.
Emergency stabilization
Care given to an animal with a life-threatening condition when immediate treatment is needed to save its life, stop bodily functions from getting worse, or end suffering.
Client
The owner of the patient, the owner's agent, or another person bringing the patient for care.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Veterinary medicine and veterinary technology practice provisions modified.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Presented to Governor 04/28/2026House
  2. Presentment date 04/28/26Senate
  3. Returned from Senate with amendmentHouse
  4. House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence receivedHouse
  5. Special OrderSenate
  6. Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF4069Senate
  7. Received from HouseSenate
  8. AmendedHouse
  9. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Thursday, April 9, 2026House
  10. Committee report, to adopt as amendedHouse
  11. Authors added Allen, Harder, and BurkelHouse
  12. Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Finance and PolicyHouse