The proposed bill, titled the "Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act," aims to establish a new category of veterinary professionals known as "veterinary professional associates." This designation is reserved for individuals who have completed a master's program in veterinary clinical care and passed a national competency examination. The bill outlines the responsibilities and limitations of veterinary professional associates, allowing them to perform certain veterinary duties under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian while prohibiting them from prescribing drugs or performing invasive surgical procedures, except for veterinary sterilizations.

Additionally, the bill mandates that candidates for the veterinary professional associate designation complete a minimum of 100 hours of in-person clinical skills training and 200 hours of clinical rotations in approved veterinary settings. It also specifies that supervising veterinarians will be held liable for the actions of the veterinary professional associates they oversee. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.