HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 1 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the practice of veterinary 2
medicine; amending s. 474.201, F.S.; conforming 3
provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 4
474.202, F.S.; providing definitions; amending s. 5
474.203, F.S.; providing that specified exemptions 6
apply to licensed and unlicensed veterinary 7
technicians; amending s. 474.204, F.S.; revising the 8
membership of the Board of Veterinary Medicine; 9
creating s. 474.2071, F.S.; providing requirements for 10
the licensure of veterinary technicians; amending s. 11
474.211, F.S.; providing requirements for the renewal 12
of a licensed veterinary technician's license; 13
amending s. 474.213, F.S.; prohibiting certain persons 14
from taking specified actions relating to licensed 15
veterinary technicians; providing criminal penalties; 16
amending s. 474.214, F.S.; providing grounds for 17
disciplinary actions against applicants for licensure 18
and licensed veterinary technicians; authorizing the 19
board to take specified actions against certain 20
persons; providing for the reissuance of a license to 21
a veterinary technician under certain circumstances; 22
creating s. 474.223, F.S.; providing scope of practice 23
relating to licensed veterinary technicians; 24
authorizing veterinary technicians to provide 25
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 2 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
specified services; authorizing supervising 26
veterinarians to delegate specified responsibilities 27
to licensed veterinary technicians; prohibiting 28
veterinary assistants from identifying themselves as 29
specified persons; amending s. 828.30, F.S.; 30
conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 31
providing an effective dat e. 32
33
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 34
35
Section 1. Section 474.201, Florida Statutes, is amended 36
to read: 37
474.201 Purpose.—The Legislature finds that the practice 38
of veterinary medicine is potentially dangerous to the publi c 39
health and safety if conducted by incompetent and unlicensed 40
veterinarians and veterinary technicians practitioners. The 41
legislative purpose in enacting this chapter is to ensure that 42
every veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician practicing 43
in this state meet minimum requirements for safe practice. It is 44
the legislative intent that veterinarians and licensed 45
veterinary technicians who are not normally competent or who 46
otherwise present a danger to the public shall be disciplined or 47
prohibited from practicing in this state. 48
Section 2. Subsections (6) through (12) and (13) of 49
section 474.202, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections 50
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 3 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(7) through (13) and (15), respectively, and a new subsection 51
(6) and subsections (14), (16), (17), and (18) are added to that 52
section, to read: 53
474.202 Definitions. —As used in this chapter: 54
(6) "Licensed veterinary technician" means a veterinary 55
technician or veterinary technologist who practices veterinary 56
technology in the state and is licensed under the authority of 57
this chapter. 58
(14) "Veterinary assistant" means a person who practices 59
on a veterinary team providing medical care for animals. The 60
term does not include a licensed veterinary technician. 61
(16) "Veterinary technician" means a person who has 62
graduated with an associate degree from a veterinary technology 63
training program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical 64
Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and 65
Activities (CVTEA). 66
(17) "Veterinary technologist" means a person who has 67
graduated with a bachelor's degree from a veterinary technology 68
training program accredited by the CVTEA. 69
(18) "Veterinary technology" means the science and art of 70
providing certain aspects of the medical care and treatment of a 71
veterinary patient by a person who is a veterinary technician or 72
veterinary technologist, as delegated and supervised by a 73
licensed veterinarian with an established 74
veterinarian/client/patient relationship. The term does not 75
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 4 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
include the diagnosis, prognosis, prescription of medications, 76
surgery, or the development of treatment plans, which are within 77
the purview of the veterinarian. 78
Section 3. Subsections (3), (5), and (7) of section 79
474.203, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 80
474.203 Exemptions. —This chapter does not apply to: 81
(3) A student in a school or college of veterinary 82
medicine or a program for veterinary technology while in the 83
performance of duties assigned by her or his instructor or when 84
working as a preceptor under the immediate supervision of a 85
licensee, if such preceptorship is required for graduation from 86
an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine or a 87
program for veterinary technology . The licensed veterinarian is 88
responsible for all acts performed by a preceptor under her or 89
his supervision. 90
(5)(a) Any person, or the person's regular employee, 91
administering to the ills or injuries of her or his own animals, 92
including, but not limited to, castration, spaying, and 93
dehorning of herd animals, unless title is transferred or 94
employment provided for the purpose of circumventing this law. 95
This exemption does not apply to any person licensed as a 96
veterinarian or veterinary technician in another state or 97
foreign jurisdiction and practicing temporarily in this state. 98
However, only a veterinarian or a licensed veterinary 99
technician, as authorized in s. 474.223(1)(m), may immunize or 100
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 5 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
treat an animal for diseases that are communicable to humans and 101
that are of public health significance. 102
(7) Any veterinary aide, nurse, unlicensed veterinary 103
technician, laboratory technician, preceptor, or other employee 104
of a licensed veterinarian who administers medication or who 105
renders auxiliary or supporting assistance under the responsible 106
supervision of a licensed veterinarian, including those tasks 107
identified by rule of the board requiring immediate supervision. 108
However, the licensed veterinarian is responsible for all such 109
acts performed under this subsection by persons under her or his 110
supervision. 111
112
For the purposes of chapters 465 and 893, persons exempt 113
pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (4) 114
are deemed to be duly licensed practitioners authorized by the 115
laws of this state to prescribe drugs or medicinal supplies. 116
Section 4. Section 474.204, Florida Statutes, are amended 117
to read: 118
474.204 Board of Veterinary Medicine. — 119
(1) To carry out the provisions of this chapter, there is 120
created within the department the Board of Veterinary Medicine 121
consisting of the following seven members, who shall be 122
appointed by the Governor, subject to confirma tion by the 123
Senate:. 124
(a)(2) Five members who are of the board shall be licensed 125
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 6 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
veterinarians. 126
(b) Two members who are licensed veterinary technicians 127
who have been actively engaged in the practice of veterinary 128
technology for at least 5 years immedia tely preceding the date 129
of their appointment to the board. 130
(c) Two members who are of the board shall be laypersons 131
who are not and have never been veterinarians or members of any 132
closely related profession or occupation. 133
(2)(3) All provisions of chap ter 455 relating to 134
activities of regulatory boards shall apply. 135
Section 5. Section 474.2071, Florida Statutes, is created 136
to read: 137
474.2071 Veterinary technician licensure by examination. —138
(1) A person desiring to become licensed as a veterinary 139
technician shall apply to the board and must have met all of the 140
following criteria: 141
(a) Completed the application form. 142
(b) Graduated from a college program of veterinary 143
technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical 144
Association Committee on Veterinary Technicians Education and 145
Activities. 146
(c) Earned a passing score on the Veterinary Technician 147
National Exam as determined by the American Association of 148
Veterinary State Boards. 149
(d) Demonstrated knowledge of the laws and rules governing 150
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 7 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the practice of veterinary medicine in the state in a manner 151
consistent with rules of the board. 152
(2) A credentialed veterinary technician who is in good 153
standing with the Florida Veterinary Technician Association or 154
the Florida Veterinary Medical Association on July 1, 2024, is 155
eligible to apply for licensure upon meeting all of the 156
following criteria: 157
(a) Completed the application form. 158
(b) Demonstrated knowledge of the laws and rules governing 159
the practice of veterinary medicine in the state in a manner 160
consistent with rules of the board. 161
Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 474.211, Florida 162
Statutes, is amended to read: 163
474.211 Renewal of license. — 164
(3) The board may by rule prescribe continuing education, 165
not to exceed 30 hours biennially for veterinarians and 15 hours 166
biennially for licensed veterinary technicians , as a condition 167
for renewal of a license or certificate. The criteria for such 168
programs, providers, and courses shall be approved by the board. 169
Section 7. Section 474.213, Florid a Statutes, is amended 170
to read: 171
474.213 Prohibitions; penalties. — 172
(1) A No person may not shall: 173
(a) Lead the public to believe that such person is 174
licensed as a veterinarian, or is engaged in the licensed 175
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 8 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
practice of veterinary medicine, without suc h person holding a 176
valid, active license pursuant to this chapter; 177
(b) Use the name or title "veterinarian" when the person 178
has not been licensed under pursuant to this chapter; 179
(c) Present as her or his own the license of another; 180
(d) Give false or forged evidence to the board or a member 181
thereof for the purpose of obtaining a license; 182
(e) Use or attempt to use a veterinarian's license which 183
has been suspended or revoked; 184
(f) Knowingly employ unlicensed persons in the practice of 185
veterinary medicine; 186
(g) Knowingly conceal information relative to violations 187
of this chapter; 188
(h) Obtain or attempt to obtain a license to practice 189
veterinary medicine by fraudulent representation; 190
(i) Practice veterinary medicine in this state, unless the 191
person holds a valid, active license to practice veterinary 192
medicine pursuant to this chapter; 193
(j) Sell or offer to sell a diploma conferring a degree 194
from a veterinary school or college, or a license issued 195
pursuant to this chapter, or procure such diploma or l icense 196
with the intent that it shall be used as evidence of that which 197
the document stands for by a person other than the one upon whom 198
it was conferred or to whom it was granted; or 199
(k) Knowingly operate a veterinary establishment or 200
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 9 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
premises without having a premise permit issued under s. 201
474.215. 202
(2) A person may not: 203
(a) Lead the public to believe that such person is 204
licensed as a veterinary technician or is engaged in the 205
licensed practice of veterinary technology without such person 206
holding a valid, active license under this chapter; or 207
(b) Use the name or title "licensed veterinary technician" 208
when the person has not been licensed under this chapter. 209
(3)(a)(2) A person who violates subsection (1) any 210
provision of this section commits a felony of the third degree, 211
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 212
(b) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a 213
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 214
775.082 or s. 775.083. 215
Section 8. Section 474.214 , Florida Statutes, is amended 216
to read: 217
474.214 Disciplinary proceedings. — 218
(1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which 219
the disciplinary actions in subsection (3)(2) may be taken: 220
(a) Attempting to procure a license to practice veterinar y 221
medicine by bribery, by fraudulent representations, or through 222
an error of the department or the board. 223
(b) Having a license or the authority to practice 224
veterinary medicine revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted 225
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 10 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
against, including the denial of licens ure, by the licensing 226
authority of any jurisdiction, including any agency or 227
subdivision thereof. The licensing authority's acceptance of a 228
veterinarian's relinquishment of a license, stipulation, consent 229
order, or other settlement, offered in response to or in 230
anticipation of the filing of administrative charges against the 231
veterinarian's license or authority to practice, shall be 232
construed as action against the veterinarian's license or 233
authority to practice. 234
(c) Being convicted or found guilty, regardl ess of 235
adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly 236
relates to the practice of veterinary medicine or the ability to 237
practice veterinary medicine. Any crime which demonstrates a 238
lack of regard for animal life relates to the ability to 239
practice veterinary medicine. In addition, crimes relating to 240
the ability to practice veterinary medicine shall include, but 241
not be limited to, crimes involving any violation of state or 242
federal drug laws. 243
(d) Making or filing a report or record which the lice nsee 244
knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file 245
a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully 246
impeding or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person 247
to impede or obstruct such filing. Such reports or records s hall 248
include only those which are signed in the capacity of a 249
licensed veterinarian. 250
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 11 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(e) Advertising goods or services in a manner which is 251
fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or content. 252
(f) Violating any provision of this chapter or c hapter 253
455, a rule of the board or department, or a lawful order of the 254
board or department previously entered in a disciplinary 255
hearing, or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of 256
the department. 257
(g) Practicing with a revoked, suspended, in active, or 258
delinquent license. 259
(h) Being unable to practice veterinary medicine with 260
reasonable skill or safety to patients by reason of illness, 261
drunkenness, use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other 262
material or substance or as a result of any me ntal or physical 263
condition. In enforcing this paragraph, upon a finding by the 264
secretary, the secretary's designee, or the probable cause panel 265
of the board that probable cause exists to believe that the 266
licensee is unable to practice the profession becaus e of the 267
reasons stated in this paragraph, the department shall have the 268
authority to compel a licensee to submit to a mental or physical 269
examination by a physician designated by the department. If the 270
licensee refuses to comply with the department's order , the 271
department may file a petition for enforcement in the circuit 272
court of the circuit in which the licensee resides or does 273
business. The licensee shall not be named or identified by 274
initials in any other public court records or documents and the 275
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 12 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
enforcement proceedings shall be closed to the public. The 276
department shall be entitled to the summary procedure provided 277
in s. 51.011. A licensee affected under this paragraph shall be 278
afforded an opportunity at reasonable intervals to demonstrate 279
that she or he can resume the competent practice for which she 280
or he is licensed with reasonable skill and safety to patients. 281
Neither the record of proceedings nor the orders entered by the 282
board in any proceedings under this paragraph shall be used 283
against a licensee in any other proceedings. 284
(i) Judicially determined mental incompetency. However, a 285
license suspended for this cause may be reinstated upon legal 286
restoration of the competency of the individual whose license 287
was so suspended. 288
(j) Knowingly maintaining a professional connection or 289
association with any person who is in violation of the 290
provisions of this chapter or the rules of the board or 291
department. However, if the licensee verifies that the person is 292
actively participating in a board -approved program for the 293
treatment of a physical or mental condition, the licensee is 294
required only to report such person to the consultant. 295
(k) Paying or receiving kickbacks, rebates, bonuses, or 296
other remuneration for receiving a patient or client or for 297
referring a patient or client to another provider of veterinary 298
services or goods. 299
(l) Performing or prescribing unnecessary or unauthorized 300
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 13 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
treatment. 301
(m) Fraud in the collection of fees from consumers or any 302
person, agency, or organization paying fees to practiti oners. 303
(n) Attempting to restrict competition in the field of 304
veterinary medicine other than for the protection of the public. 305
However, this provision shall not apply to testimony made in 306
good faith at a hearing or other proceeding in which the subject 307
is the revocation of a license or a lesser penalty. 308
(o) Fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetency, or 309
misconduct, in or related to the practice of veterinary 310
medicine. 311
(p) Conviction on a charge of cruelty to animals. 312
(q) Permitting or allowing another to use a veterinarian's 313
license for the purpose of treating or offering to treat 314
animals. 315
(r) Being guilty of incompetence or negligence by failing 316
to practice medicine with that level of care, skill, and 317
treatment which is recognized by a reasonably pr udent 318
veterinarian as being acceptable under similar conditions and 319
circumstances. 320
(s) Willfully making any misrepresentations in connection 321
with the inspection of food for human consumption. 322
(t) Fraudulently issuing or using any false health 323
certificate, vaccination certificate, test chart, or other blank 324
form used in the practice of veterinary medicine relating to the 325
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 14 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
presence or absence of animal disease or transporting animals or 326
issuing any false certificate relating to the sale of products 327
of animal origin for human consumption. 328
(u) Fraud or dishonesty in applying, treating, or 329
reporting on tuberculin, diagnostic, or other biological tests. 330
(v) Failing to keep the equipment and premises of the 331
business establishment in a clean and sanitary cond ition, having 332
a premises permit suspended or revoked pursuant to s. 474.215, 333
or operating or managing premises that do not comply with 334
requirements established by rule of the board. 335
(w) Practicing veterinary medicine at a location for which 336
a valid premises permit has not been issued when required under 337
s. 474.215. 338
(x) Refusing to permit the department to inspect the 339
business premises of the licensee during regular business hours. 340
(y) Using the privilege of ordering, prescribing, or 341
making available medicinal drugs or drugs as defined in chapter 342
465, or controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, for use 343
other than for the specific treatment of animal patients for 344
which there is a documented veterinarian/client/patient 345
relationship. Pursuant there to, the veterinarian shall: 346
1. Have sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at 347
least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical 348
condition of the animal, which means that the veterinarian is 349
personally acquainted with the keeping and caring of the animal 350
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 15 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and has recently seen the animal or has made medically 351
appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal 352
is kept. 353
2. Be available or provide for followup care and treatment 354
in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of 355
therapy. 356
3. Maintain records which document patient visits, 357
diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant information required 358
under this chapter. 359
(z) Providing, prescribing, ordering, or making available 360
for human use medicinal drugs or drugs as define d in chapter 361
465, controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, or any 362
material, chemical, or substance used exclusively for animal 363
treatment. 364
(aa) Failing to report to the department any person the 365
licensee knows to be in violation of this chapter or of the 366
rules of the department or board. However, if the licensee 367
verifies that the person is actively participating in a board -368
approved program for the treatment of a physical or mental 369
condition, the licensee is required only to report such person 370
to the consultant. 371
(bb) Violating any of the requirements of chapter 499, the 372
Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act; 21 U.S.C. ss. 301 -392, the 373
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; 21 U.S.C. ss. 821 et seq., 374
the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, 375
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 16 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
more commonly known as the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention 376
and Control Act; or chapter 893. 377
(cc) Failing to provide adequate radiation safeguards. 378
(dd) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation 379
placed upon a licensee. 380
(ee) Failing to keep contemporaneously written medical 381
records as required by rule of the board. 382
(ff) Prescribing or dispensing a legend drug as defined in 383
chapter 499, including any controlled substance, inappropriately 384
or in excessive or inappropriate quantities . 385
(gg) Practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope 386
permitted by law. 387
(hh) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person 388
when the licensee delegating such responsibilities knows or has 389
reason to know that such person is not qualified by t raining, 390
experience, or licensure to perform them. 391
(ii) Presigning blank prescription forms. 392
(jj) Failing to report to the board within 30 days, in 393
writing, any action set forth in paragraph (b) that has been 394
taken against the practitioner's license to practice veterinary 395
medicine by any jurisdiction, including any agency or 396
subdivision thereof. 397
(kk) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any 398
provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant thereto. 399
(ll) Failing to respond within 60 d ays after receipt of a 400
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 17 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
request to provide satisfactory proof of having participated in 401
approved continuing education programs. 402
(mm) Failing to maintain accurate records or reports as 403
required by this chapter or by federal or state laws or rules 404
pertaining to the storing, labeling, selling, dispensing, 405
prescribing, and administering of controlled substances. 406
(nn) Failing to report a change of address to the board 407
within 60 days thereof. 408
(oo) Failure of the responsible veterinarian to report a 409
change of premises ownership or responsible veterinarian within 410
60 days thereof. 411
(pp) Failing to give the owner of a patient, before 412
dispensing any drug, a written prescription when requested. 413
(2) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which 414
the disciplinary actions under (3) may be taken against an 415
applicant or a licensed veterinary technician: 416
(a) Violating any provision of this chapter that pertains 417
to licensed veterinary technicians. 418
(b) Being convicted or found guilty of, regardless of 419
adjudication, a felony. 420
(c) Being convicted of a charge of cruelty to animals. 421
(d) Soliciting patients from any practitioner of the 422
healing arts. 423
(e) Willfully or negligently divulging a professional 424
confidence. 425
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 18 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(f) Habitually or excessively using intoxica nts or drugs. 426
(g) Committing fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetency, or 427
misconduct, in or related to the practice of veterinary 428
technology. 429
(h) Committing fraud or misrepresentation in applying for 430
or procuring licensure as a licensed veterinarian tec hnician or 431
in applying for or procuring the biannual renewal. 432
(i) Impersonating or attempting to impersonate another 433
person who is licensed as a veterinary technician or allowing a 434
person to use his or her license as a veterinary technician. 435
(j) Practicing with a revoked, suspended, inactive, or 436
delinquent license. 437
(k) Selling or offering to sell a diploma conferring a 438
degree from a veterinary technology school or college or a 439
license issued under this chapter. 440
(l) Abetting or aiding the practice of veterinary medicine 441
by a person who is not licensed by the board. 442
(m) Failing to report to the board within 30 days and in 443
writing any action that has been taken against the veterinary 444
technician's license to practice veterinary technology by any 445
jurisdiction, including any agency or subdivision thereof. 446
(n) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation 447
placed upon a licensed veterinary technician. 448
(o) Failing to respond within 60 days after receipt of a 449
request to provide satisfactory proof o f having participated in 450
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 19 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
approved continuing education programs. 451
(p) Failing to report a change of address to the board 452
within 60 days thereof. 453
(3)(2) When the board finds any applicant , or 454
veterinarian, or licensed veterinary technician guilty of any of 455
the grounds set forth in subsection (1) or subsection (2), as 456
applicable, regardless of whether the violation occurred prior 457
to licensure, it may enter an order imposing one or more of the 458
following penalties: 459
(a) Denial of certification for examinat ion or licensure. 460
(b) Revocation or suspension of a license. 461
(c) Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed 462
$5,000 for each count or separate offense. 463
(d) Issuance of a reprimand. 464
(e) Placement of the veterinarian or licensed veterinary 465
technician on probation for a period of time and subject to such 466
conditions as the board may specify, including requiring the 467
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician to attend 468
continuing education courses or to work under the supervision of 469
another veterinarian. 470
(f) Restricting the authorized scope of practice. 471
(g) Imposition of costs of the investigation and 472
prosecution. 473
(h) Requiring the veterinarian or licensed veterinary 474
technician to undergo remedial education. 475
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 20 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
476
In determining appropriate action, the board must first consider 477
those sanctions necessary to protect the public. Only after 478
those sanctions have been imposed may the disciplining authority 479
consider and include in its order requirements designed to 480
rehabilitate the veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician . 481
All costs associated with compliance with any order issued under 482
this subsection are the obligation of the veterinarian or 483
licensed veterinary technician . 484
(4)(3) The department shall reissue the license of a 485
disciplined veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician upon 486
certification by the board that the disciplined veterinarian or 487
licensed veterinary technician has complied with all of the 488
terms and conditions set forth in the final order and is capable 489
of competently and safely engaging in the practice of veterinary 490
medicine or veterinary technology, as applicable . 491
Section 9. Section 474.223, Florida Statutes, is created 492
to read: 493
474.223 Licensed veterin ary technicians.— 494
(1) A licensed veterinary technician may provide the 495
following services under the supervision of a licensed 496
veterinarian: 497
(a) Arterial and central venous catheterization. 498
(b) Euthanasia. 499
(c) Intraperitoneal injections. 500
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 21 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(d) Placement of gastric, nasoesophageal and nasogastric 501
tubes. 502
(e) Suturing or stapling of skin lacerations, gingival 503
incisions, or existing surgical incisions. 504
(f) Paravertebral blocks and epidurals. 505
(g) A complex single root extraction that is beyond a 506
simple digital extraction of the tooth that requires periosteal 507
elevation but does not require sectioning of the tooth or of the 508
bone. 509
(h) Blood or blood component collection, preparation, and 510
administration for transfusion or blood banking purposes. 511
(i) Ear flushing with powered mechanical devices creating 512
pressure or suction. 513
(j) A thoracocentesis, cystocentesis, or abdominocentesis. 514
(k) Application of casts, splints, and slings for the 515
immobilization of fractures. 516
(l) Placement of an epidural, i ntraosseous, or nasal 517
catheter. 518
(m) Administering rabies vaccinations. 519
(2) The supervising veterinarian shall determine the 520
appropriate level of supervision and protocol for any of the 521
tasks under subsection (1). All other tasks may be performed by 522
licensed or unlicensed persons at the discretion of the 523
supervising veterinarian. In determining the appropriate level 524
of supervision, the veterinarian must consider the level of 525
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 22 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
training and experience of the person to whom the task is 526
delegated. 527
(3) A supervising veterinarian may in his or her judgment 528
delegate to a licensed veterinary technician the responsibility 529
of supervising a task or tasks performed by an unlicensed 530
person, except for any of the tasks listed in subsection (1). 531
(4) A licensed veteri nary technician may not make or 532
provide any diagnosis or prognosis, perform any surgery, or 533
prescribe any medical drugs as defined in chapter 465 or 534
controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, unless 535
otherwise authorized in this chapter. 536
(5) A veterinary assistant may not identify himself or 537
herself to the public as a veterinary technician or a licensed 538
veterinary technician unless he or she is a graduate of an 539
accredited veterinary technology program or licensed under this 540
chapter, as applicable. 541
Section 10. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 828.30, 542
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 543
828.30 Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets. — 544
(1) All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older 545
must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinaria n or licensed 546
veterinary technician under the supervision of a licensed 547
veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by 548
the United States Department of Agriculture for use in those 549
species. The owner of every dog, cat, and ferret shall have the 550
HB 261 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0261-00
Page 23 of 23
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
animal revaccinated 12 months after the initial vaccination. 551
Thereafter, the interval between vaccinations shall conform to 552
the vaccine manufacturer's directions. The cost of vaccination 553
must be borne by the animal's owner. Evidence of circulating 554
rabies virus neutralizing antibodies shall not be used as a 555
substitute for current vaccination in managing rabies exposure 556
or determining the need for booster vaccinations. 557
(3) Upon vaccination against rabies, the licensed 558
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician shall provide the 559
animal's owner and the animal control authority with a rabies 560
vaccination certificate. Each animal control authority and 561
veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician shall use the 562
"Rabies Vaccination Certificate" of the Nati onal Association of 563
State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) or an equivalent form 564
approved by the local government which that contains all the 565
information required by the NASPHV Rabies Vaccination 566
Certificate. The veterinarian who administers the rabies vaccine 567
to an animal as authorized required under this section may affix 568
his or her signature stamp in lieu of an actual signature. 569
Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 570