2015 -- H 5430

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LC001106

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - VETERINARY PRACTICE --

ANIMAL AS SECURITY FOR DEBT

     Introduced By: Representatives Roberts, Costa, Newberry, Barros, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-25-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-25 entitled "Veterinary

Practice" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-25-14. Grounds for refusal to issue, refusal to renew, revoke, or suspend a license.

-- The division has the power to deny, revoke or suspend any license issued under this chapter or

otherwise discipline a licensee upon proof of the following:

      (1) Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; conviction of a felony; and

conviction of a crime arising out of the practice of veterinary medicine;

      (2) Addiction to narcotics, habitual drunkenness, or rendering professional services to a

patient while the veterinarian is intoxicated or incapacitated by the use of drugs;

      (3) Knowingly placing the health of a client at serious risk without maintaining proper

precautions;

      (4) Fraud or misrepresentation in any phase of procuring or renewing a license;

      (5) Unprofessional conduct, which includes the matters set forth in the section or other

matters as further defined in regulations of the division;

      (6) Advertising designed to mislead the public;

      (7) Representing certain procedures are performed with greater authority or expertise;

      (8) Fraud or misrepresentation of treatment procedures or statements regarding the

ability to treat;

      (9) Fee splitting or kickbacks of any kind, except where services are provided jointly;

      (10) Failure to maintain acceptable sanitation standards;

      (11) Malpractice, gross negligence, or wanton disregard of accepted professional

standards;

      (12) Adjudication of mental incompetence;

      (13) Lack of fitness to practice by reason of mental or physical impairment or otherwise;

or

      (14) Any other grounds to deny, revoke or suspend a license as provided for in the rules

and regulations.

      (15) Failure to return an animal to the owner thereof, solely as a consequence of an

unpaid bill for treatment.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - VETERINARY PRACTICE --

ANIMAL AS SECURITY FOR DEBT

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     This act would make it a disciplinary offense for a veterinarian’s failure to return an

animal after treatment, solely because of an unpaid bill.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001106

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