HB2354 - Veterinary Medical Practice Ownership Act

• Allows licensed veterinarians to form veterinary practices in any legal business structure (corporation, LLC, partnership) to study, diagnose, and treat animal ailments and injuries, with veterinary medical treatment only provided by licensed veterinarians or licensed employees.

• Permits non-veterinarians to own and operate veterinary practices provided all employees providing or influencing veterinary medical treatment are licensed veterinarians under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004.

• Requires veterinary practices to suspend operations if a licensed veterinarian owner dies and no other licensed veterinarian is available to provide or oversee medical treatment, unless the practice is being transferred to non-veterinarian ownership.

• Allows licensed veterinarians and veterinary associations to bring private lawsuits to enjoin non-compliant veterinary practices and recover attorney's fees, court costs, and prosecution costs if successful.

• Licensed veterinary employees remain subject to individual discipline and reprimand under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 regardless of practice ownership structure.