SB 1200 Summary

• Adds five new categories of unprofessional conduct for veterinarians: making false statements on medical records, withholding necessary medical information from animal owners, delegating professional responsibilities to unqualified persons, and two related to veterinarian-client-patient relationships.

• Increases maximum civil penalties from $1,000 to $1,900 for unprofessional conduct and administrative violations, with automatic annual increases based on the GDP price deflator beginning December 31, 2024.

• Establishes new administrative violation category allowing the board to impose penalties (up to $1,900) for failure to provide medical records or radiographs to animal owners or other veterinarians within ten days of request.

• Defines "domestic animal" as mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians not regulated by title 3 and kept primarily as pets or companions, limiting applicability of certain conduct provisions to companion animals only.

• Revises language in investigative procedures and enforcement sections for clarity and precision in references to violations and complaint procedures.