HB288 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code sections governing veterinary medicine practice to revise and add definitions including consulting veterinarians, direct/indirect/immediate supervision levels, foreign veterinary graduates, and veterinary technicians.

• Adds new prohibited acts for veterinary practitioners including providing remote veterinary services without state licensure and establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

• Expands licensed veterinary technician duties under different supervision levels: indirect supervision for dental prophylaxis, diagnostic imaging, laboratory work, and medication administration; direct supervision for endotracheal intubation, anesthesia induction, and suturing; immediate supervision for surgical assistance.

• Authorizes unlicensed assistants to perform specific tasks under indirect supervision (blood collection, sample collection, medication administration) and immediate supervision (blood administration, diagnostic imaging, laboratory work, bandaging).

• Establishes requirements for veterinary technician licensure including age 18+, good character, accredited veterinary technology diploma, and passage of AVMA-approved national examination with minimum 70% score; requires annual license renewal with continuing education hours.