CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1502

Introduced by Committee on Business and Professions

February 24, 2025

An act to amend Section 4887 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to veterinary medicine.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1502, as introduced, Committee on Business and Professions. California Veterinary Medical Board.
(1) Existing law, the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, establishes the California Veterinary Medical Board, until January 1, 2026, within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine.
Existing law authorizes a person whose license or registration has been revoked or who has been placed on probation to petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalties, as specified.
This bill would require those petitions to be accompanied by a full set of fingerprints for purposes of conducting a criminal history record check.
(2) Existing law establishes the Joint Sunset Review Committee, a legislative committee comprised of 10 members of the Legislature, to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government agencies and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of an eligible agency, as defined, for which a date for repeal has been established, to determine if the agency is still necessary and cost effective.
This bill would declare the intent of the legislature to evaluate the California Veterinary Medical Board through the joint legislative sunset review oversight process and to subsequently effectuate any recommendations produced through that process.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 It is the intent of the Legislature to evaluate the California Veterinary Medical Board through the joint legislative sunset review oversight process and to subsequently effectuate any recommendations produced through that process.

SEC. 2.

 Section 4887 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4887.
 (a) (1) A person whose license or registration has been revoked or who has been placed on probation may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalty including modification or termination of probation after the period as described below in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, has elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering the disciplinary action. The petition shall state facts as required by the board. The period shall be as follows:
(A) At least three years for reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license.
(B) At least two years for early termination or modification of probation of three years or more.
(C) At least one year for modification of a condition or termination of probation of less than three years.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the board may, upon a showing of good cause, specify in a revocation order, a surrender order, or an order imposing probation of more than three years that the person may petition the board for reinstatement or modification or termination of probation after one year.
(b) The petition shall be accompanied by at both of the following:
(1) At least two verified recommendations from veterinarians licensed by the board who have personal knowledge of the activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary penalty was imposed. The
(2) A full set of fingerprints for purposes of conducting a criminal history record check.
(c) The petition shall be heard by the board. The board may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined, the petitioner’s activities since the license or registration was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitation efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability. The hearing may be continued from time to time as the board finds necessary.

(c)

(d) The board reinstating the license or registration or modifying a penalty may impose terms and conditions as it determines necessary. To reinstate a revoked license or registration or to otherwise reduce a penalty or modify probation shall require a vote of five of the members of the board.

(d)

(e) The petition shall not be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole. The board may deny without a hearing or argument any petition filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of the prior decision following a hearing under this section.

Statutes affected:
AB 1502: 4887 BPC
02/24/25 - Introduced: 4887 BPC