Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not list a specific effective date or when these rules will start.
AB-516: Changing Rules for Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
This law allows registered veterinary technicians and assistants to perform any animal health care service not banned by other laws, including dental work like pulling teeth in some cases, when a veterinarian gives an order.
What This Bill Does
- Allows both registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to do any animal health care service that is not prohibited by law under the supervision of a veterinarian.
- Lets both groups perform these services on animals housed in public or private shelters, humane societies, or cruelty prevention organizations with a veterinarian's order.
- Authorizes only registered veterinary technicians to perform dental care procedures, such as tooth extractions, while supervised by a veterinarian.
Who It Names or Affects
- Registered veterinary technicians
- Veterinary assistants
- Animals housed in public or private shelters, humane societies, and cruelty prevention organizations
Terms To Know
- Scope of practice
- The list of tasks a worker is legally allowed to do.
- Impounded animals
- Animals taken into custody by government agencies or shelters.
Limits and Unknowns
- All new services must be done under the supervision of a veterinarian.
- The law does not allow any animal health service that is already prohibited by other laws.
- Dental procedures like tooth extractions are only allowed for registered veterinary technicians, not assistants.