AB165: Bill Text

LRB-0518/1

MDK:kmg:jf

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 165

March 18, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Hines, Ott, Bies, Plouff, Gronemus, Wasserman, Van Roy, J. Lehman, Owens, Gunderson, Seratti, Shilling, Vrakas, Kreibich, Freese, Ainsworth, Gielow, Berceau, Loeffelholz, Schooff and Jeskewitz, cosponsored by Senators Schultz, Kedzie, Stepp, Risser, Hansen, M. Meyer and Roessler. Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

AB165,1,4 An Act to repeal 453.06 (4); to renumber and amend 453.06 (2); to amend 453.03 (2); and to create 453.062 of the statutes; relating to: continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and granting rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Veterinary Examining Board (board) issues licenses to veterinarians and certifications to veterinary technicians, which must be renewed every two years. The board is required to promulgate rules requiring continuing education to ensure that veterinarians and veterinary technicians are competent in using, handling, distributing, and disposing of pesticides.

This bill requires the board to promulgate continuing education rules to ensure competency in practicing veterinary medicine, including, but not limited to, competency in using, handling, distributing, and disposing of pesticides. In addition, with certain exceptions, the bill requires an applicant who applies to renew a veterinary license or veterinary technician certification to certify that he or she has completed continuing education. Veterinarians must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years and veterinary technicians must complete 15 hours every two years. The continuing education requirements do not apply the first time that a veterinarian or veterinary technician applies to renew his or her license or certification. In addition, the board may waive the requirements if exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged illness or disability, prevent a veterinarian or veterinary technician from meeting the requirements. Also, if any complaint is made against a veterinarian or veterinary technician, the bill allows the board to require the veterinarian or veterinary technician to submit proof that he or she has completed continuing education during the preceding two-year licensure or certification period.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB165, s. 1 Section 1. 453.03 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB165,2,5 453.03 (2) The examining board shall promulgate rules requiring training and continuing education sufficient to assure competency of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the practice of veterinary medicine, including the use, handling, distribution, and disposal of pesticides.

AB165, s. 2 Section 2. 453.06 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 453.062 (1) and amended to read:

AB165,2,10 453.062 (1) Renewal. The renewal date dates and renewal fee fees for veterinary licenses and veterinary technician certifications are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a).

AB165, s. 3 Section 3. 453.06 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

AB165, s. 4 Section 4. 453.062 of the statutes is created to read:

AB165,2,13 453.062 Renewal; continuing education.

AB165,2,17 (2) Continuing education. (a) Except as provided in sub. (3), the examining board may not renew a veterinary license unless the applicant certifies that he or she has completed, during the preceding 2-year licensure period, at least 30 hours of continuing education programs or courses approved by the examining board.

AB165,3,2 (b) Except as provided in sub. (3), the examining board may not renew a veterinary technician certification unless the applicant certifies that he or she has completed, during the preceding 2-year certification period, at least 15 hours of continuing education programs or courses approved by the examining board.

AB165,3,6 (c) If any complaint is made against a veterinarian or veterinary technician, the examining board may require the veterinarian or veterinary technician to submit proof of the continuing education programs or courses that he or she has completed during the preceding 2-year licensure or certification period.

AB165,3,9 (3) Exceptions. (a) Subsection (2) (a) and (b) does not apply to an applicant who applies to renew a license or certification that expires on the first expiration date after initial issuance of the license or certification.

AB165,3,12 (b) The examining board may waive the requirements of sub. (2) (a) or (b) if it finds that exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged illness, disability, or other similar circumstances, have prevented an applicant from meeting the requirements.

AB165,3,13 (End)