The American Veterinary Medical Association reported today that it will begin accepting comments on the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) on its website (www.avma.org) in January. The 30-day public comment period will be open to veterinarians, veterinary team members, pet owners, farmers and anyone else who has an interest in animals and veterinary medicine. The MVPA, which was last reviewed in 2003, is used by state legislatures and state veterinary licensing and exam boards to help shape the rules and laws that govern the course of veterinary medicine, said John Scamahorn, DVM, chair of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act Task Force. The MVPA includes sections on definitions, veterinary medical boards, licensing, client confidentiality, veterinary education, veterinary technicians and technologists, abandoned animals, cruelty to animals and other topics. The AVMA requests that the comments submitted be specific and include suggested language for the new MVPA. “Early notice of this comment period was essential in order to give veterinarians and their colleagues adequate time to review the current Model Veterinary Practice Act,” said Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the AVMA. “By issuing this alert early, we’re hoping veterinarians will take time to review the many provisions of the act in advance of the comment period. Some allied and constituent organizations may even choose to meet in order to come to consensus on their comments, and we want to encourage and allow for these discussions about the future of veterinary medicine.” The current MVPA is available here. <HOME>
