The petitioner requests:

1) An amendment to section 10 to further define supervision as "direct", "immediate", or "indirect" for greater clarity to the public about the involvement of the supervising veterinarian.

2) An amendment to section 130 to require owner notification and consent for practice on an animal by a student, extern, or preceptee and owner notification for practice by an intern or resident.

3) An amendment to section 140 on unprofessional conduct to reflect changes in the supervision definition.

 The petition will be published on August 11, 2014 in the Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment ending September 10, 2014.

 Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language.  This matter will be on the Board’s agenda for its first meeting after the comment period, which is scheduled for October 22, 2014.

At its meeting yesterday, October 22, 2014, the Board considered all comments in favor of and in opposition to the request for amendments.  Its conclusion was that additional study of issues relating to owner consent and notification and the levels of supervision was necessary before deciding whether regulations of the Board of Veterinary Medicine should be amended. Therefore, the Board has decided that it will not initiate rule-making at this time.  The subject matter was referred to the Regulatory/Legislative Committee for further review and discussion.