SB168 Summary

• Establishes requirement for veterinarian-client-patient relationship before veterinary practice, with standards for knowledge of patient, availability for follow-up care, oversight of treatment, and record maintenance.

• Adds emergency exemption allowing out-of-state licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice in Delaware during declared emergencies or natural disasters with governor approval and official invitation.

• Repeals temporary permit provision for veterinarians and removes expired 7-year grandfathering provision for veterinary technicians; maintains temporary licenses for reciprocity applicants and those eligible to take licensure examination.

• Authorizes Board of Veterinary Medicine to impose monetary penalties up to $2,000 per violation for veterinarians and up to $500 per violation for veterinary technicians found in violation of regulations.

• Increases penalties for practicing without a license to $500-$1,000 for first offense and $1,000-$2,000 for subsequent offenses for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians; removes censure as disciplinary sanction and adds "permanently revoke" language for license revocation.