Representing the voice of Colorado veterinarians is a critical component of CVMA’s mission. As the largest organization of veterinary professionals in Colorado, CVMA is a champion for veterinarians in state legislative and regulatory affairs.
In 2019, CVMA actively participated in the legislative conversation surrounding SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The bill was an important issue for CVMA because it impacted training requirements for veterinarian licensees in the state of Colorado. CVMA proudly represented the voice of veterinarians throughout the process, working with key stakeholders to provide a veterinarian perspective in developing the new requirements.
Timeline
- April 1, 2019: SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention is introduced in the Colorado state senate. CVMA begins monitoring the bill.
- April 19, 2019: On behalf of Colorado veterinarians, CVMA distributes an issue brief on veterinary opioid use to the Colorado senate.
- May 23, 2019: Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The new law requires the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to adopt rules on substance use prevention training for prescribers.
- August 15, 2019: CVMA submitted an issue brief for a joint stakeholder meeting about the new requirements.
- September 20, 2019: CVMA submitted input to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine regarding recommendations on new licensing requirement.
- October 10, 2019: State Board of Veterinary Medicine adopted new rules (Rule 1.2(G) on page 9) for substance use prevention training for veterinarian licensing.
- November 30, 2019: The new rules went into effect.
See the full text of CVMA’s input on the process:
- Read the input given to the senate.
- Read the input given at the stakeholder meeting.
- Read the input given to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Advocacy in state legislative and regulatory affairs is a core part of CVMA’s mission to advance the veterinary profession in Colorado. Read more about CVMA’s advocacy efforts.
