This bill mandates specific consumer disclosures regarding rabies testing for dead domestic companion animals and introduces optional trauma-informed mental health training for veterinarians. It amends existing law to require health officials or veterinarians to provide the animal's owner with both paper and electronic copies of the Department of Health's VPH-35 Rabies Testing Notification Form. The notification must include details about the necessity of testing, protocols for handling and disposing of the animal's body, and the consequences of misrepresentation by veterinarians, which is classified as a violation of the consumer fraud act. Additionally, the bill stipulates that documentation of verbal or electronic notifications must be retained for three years.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a requirement for the Division of Consumer Affairs to create a pamphlet and poster that inform the public about rabies vaccines and testing protocols, which veterinarians must distribute and display. It also introduces a certification program for trauma-informed mental health protection training for veterinarians and their staff, which is optional but aims to address mental health issues within the veterinary profession. The bill emphasizes the importance of transparency and consumer protection in the context of rabies testing and veterinary practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:4-86.2