The Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act aims to enhance veterinary medicine practices in Florida by expanding the definition of veterinary professionals to include veterinary professional associates, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technologists. The bill establishes a registration process for these roles and increases the duration for which prescriptions based on veterinary telehealth evaluations can be issued, extending it from one month to six months for certain drugs and from 14 days to 30 days for others. Additionally, it revises the membership composition of the Board of Veterinary Medicine to include representatives from these newly defined roles, thereby promoting a more inclusive governance structure.

The legislation introduces specific regulations for veterinary professional associates, technicians, and technologists, requiring them to work under the supervision of licensed veterinarians and prohibiting them from representing themselves as such without a valid certificate of registration. It outlines their permissible duties, such as administering medical drugs and vaccinations, while also specifying prohibited actions like making diagnoses or performing surgeries beyond certain limitations. Furthermore, the bill amends existing statutes regarding rabies vaccinations, mandating that all dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months of age must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or authorized individual, and allows veterinarians to use a signature stamp on vaccination certificates. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
S 796 Filed: 474.201, 474.2021, 474.204