PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

S.B. 326

acupuncturist authorized to practice on animals, or provides care to an animal in
accordance with the requirements imposed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners. The bill also specifies that the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
may authorize the practice of a health occupation on an animal by a licensed or certified
health care practitioner. The board may impose education, training, and supervisory
requirements, as well as require the registration of the health care practitioner authorized
to practice on an animal. A licensed veterinary practitioner is immune from any civil
liability resulting from the actions of a licensed animal acupuncturist or any other health
care practitioner authorized to practice on an animal. A person practicing animal
acupuncture is included in the list of exclusions from the practice of veterinary medicine.

House Bill 277, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on April 29,
1997, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 326.

Sincerely.

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

Senate Bill No. 326

AN ACT concerning

Health Occupations — Scope of Practice

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise
authorized to practice a health occupation under certain provisions of law from
practicing the health occupation on animals unless authorized by the State Board of
Veterinary Medical Examiners; specifying certain exceptions; adding a person
practicing acupuncture in accordance with certain restrictions to the list of
exclusions from the practice of veterinary medicine; authorizing the Board of
Veterinary Medical Examiners to allow the practice of a health occupation on an
animal by certain health care practitioners; providing that a veterinary practitioner
is immune from civil liability under certain circumstances; and generally relating to
the scope of practice for health occupations.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments.
Article - Agriculture
Section 2-301(g)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1985 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Agriculture

Section 2-304(e)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1985 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

BY adding to

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