summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to veterinary professional associates; providing a short title; creating s. 474.2126, F.S.; providing legislative findings; defining terms; authorizing certain individuals to use the title “veterinary professional associate”; authorizing veterinary professional associates to perform certain duties only while under the responsible supervision of a licensed veterinarian; prohibiting such associates from prescribing certain drugs or controlled substances or performing certain surgical procedures; providing exceptions; providing that supervising veterinarians are liable for the acts or omissions of veterinary professional associates under their supervision; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new category of veterinary professional called a "veterinary professional associate" (VPA) to help increase access to veterinary medical services. A VPA must have a master's degree from an approved veterinary clinical care program and pass a national competency examination. These professionals can perform veterinary medical services delegated by a supervising licensed veterinarian, but with significant restrictions: they cannot prescribe medicinal drugs or controlled substances, and they can only perform limited surgical procedures (such as sterilizations) under immediate supervision. The bill aims to improve healthcare efficiency and affordability by allowing trained professionals to assist veterinarians while maintaining strict oversight. The supervising veterinarian remains legally liable for any acts or omissions of the VPA under their supervision. The legislation is part of the "Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act" and will take effect on July 1, 2025, potentially helping to address veterinary service gaps by creating a new intermediate professional role between veterinary technicians and fully licensed veterinarians.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Regulated Industries (S)
Last Action
Died in Agriculture (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652/BillText/c1/HTML |
| Analysis - Regulated Industries (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652/Analyses/2025s00652.ri.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652/Amendment/164782/HTML | |
| Analysis - Regulated Industries (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652/Analyses/2025s00652.pre.ri.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/652/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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