HUMANE LEGISLATION

SB 1708 Gaetz | 1509 Johnson

 The AVMA recognizes the need for mobility of veterinarians and veterinary technicians and encourages state authorities to adopt legislation and regulations that improve licensing portability, while protecting animal and public health. The AVMA also encourages the use of data-sharing programs between states to facilitate the efficient transfer of license information. 

The AVMA endorses the use of temporary licensure for qualified applicants until approval is finalized, as well as the removal of requirements that create unnecessary barriers to licensure of qualified individuals. 

The AVMA encourages states to streamline their process of license by endorsement by not requiring documentation that has already been verified by other states. The AVMA believes that an applicant should be qualified for license by endorsement when they: 

• Have provided proof of a record of good standing for the state(s) in which they are licensed and have been previously licensed 

• Have acceptably completed state-specific jurisprudence testing, as determined by the state where licensure is being sought 

Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations stands with the following organizations in supporting the PETS Act:

• ASPCA
• Animal Policy Group
• Florida Animal Control Association
• American Veterinary Medical Association

SB 1040 Bradley | HB 849 Killebrew

Modeled on Florida’s proven human telehealth provider statute, this bill expands access to safe, convenient veterinary telehealth for veterinarians and for pet owners across the economic and geographic spectrum by enabling Florida-licensed veterinarians, practicing within a prevailing veterinary quality of care and under the oversight of the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, to use telehealth technology. The bill prohibits controlled substance telehealth prescribing and enables veterinarians to indirectly supervise the administration of rabies vaccinations by animal control agencies for animals in their custody.

Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations stands with the following organizations in supporting the PETS Act:

• ASPCA
• Florida Animal Protection & Advocacy Association
• Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associate
• Veterinary Virtual Care Association

SB 1038 Bradley | HB 1245 Killebrew

Based on Florida’s proven physician assistant statute, “The Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act,” provides title protection for veterinary professional associates with a Master’s degree in veterinary clinical care; authorizes veterinary professional associates to perform veterinary tasks under the supervision by a veterinarian, with the exception of prescribing medications or performing surgeries other than common spay/neuter and dental surgeries; and provides for veterinarian oversight, discretion, and liability.

Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations stands with the following organizations in supporting the PETS Act:

• ASPCA
• Florida Animal Protection & Advocacy Association
• Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associate

SB 1478 Yarborough | HB 1033 Killebrew

Legislation has been filed for several years at the state level to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats throughout Florida to shut down the puppy mill pipeline that imports cruelly bred animals into the Sunshine state for resale to a handful of outlier pet stores who continue to sell dogs and cats despite the demonstrated risk to public health, consumer protection, and animal welfare.

Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations stands with the following organizations in supporting the PETS Act:

• ASPCA
• HSUS
• Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations
• FL STOP (Florida Shelters Together Opposing Puppy Stores)