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An Act To Improve Access to Veterinary Medicine and Improve Veterinary Care
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  Maine has regulated the licensure of veterinarians for the practice of veterinary medicine for decades; and
Whereas,  the health and safety of Maine's agricultural and domestic animals vitally affects the agricultural and general economy of the State, and the public interest and public welfare; and
Whereas,  there is a shortage of veterinarians in this State practicing veterinary medicine on large animals, and as a result Maine's large animal population is currently underserved; and
Whereas,  encouraging veterinarians currently licensed in another state to practice in Maine will reduce the shortage of veterinarians; and
Whereas,  Maine's veterinary licensing laws now uphold the highest standards of the profession and ensure the practice of veterinary medicine by highly qualified individuals; and
Whereas,  maintaining the integrity of the veterinary licensing process is critical to protect Maine's animals and the general economy; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §4861, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. R, §5, is further amended to read:
 
5. Licensure by endorsement.   The board shall grant a license by endorsement to a veterinarian who:
 
A. Has submitted a complete application;
 
B. Has paid the examination and license fee as set under section 4863-A;
 
C. Holds a valid license issued by another state, United States territory, province of Canada or other jurisdiction;
 
D-1. Has successfully passed an examination pursuant to subsection 1-A pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine as determined by board rule. The board may require the applicant to submit to an examination covering the laws and rules pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine in this State; and
 
E. Has actively practiced clinical veterinary medicine for 3,000 hours during the 3 years preceding application.
 
Notwithstanding this subsection, the board shall waive the requirement that a veterinarian pass an examination for veterinarians who have, during the 6 years preceding the application, actively practiced clinical veterinary medicine for at least 6,000 hours without disciplinary action relating to the practice of veterinary medicine by another state, United States territory, province of Canada or other jurisdiction.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to waive the requirement that a person successfully pass an examination pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine if the person, during the 6 years preceding the application, actively practiced clinical veterinary medicine for at least 6,000 hours without disciplinary action relating to the practice of veterinary medicine by another state, United States territory, province of Canada or other jurisdiction.