It’s been a busy week at the Colorado State Capitol, and we have several important updates to share with you.
House Bill 25-1285 Concerning the Veterinary Workforce (VPA) Moves Forward!
On Monday, the House Agriculture Committee voted 11-1 in favor of HB25-1285, a bill sponsored by Rep. Karen McCormick. This is a big step forward for our efforts to ensure that the veterinary practice act will govern and require regulation of veterinary professional associates as it does for veterinarians and veterinary technicians! We’re proud to share that 8 CVMA members testified in support of the bill, and they did an outstanding job advocating for our cause.
The bill is scheduled for a second reading as early as Monday, March 17, and we need your help to keep up the momentum! Please take a moment to reach out to your representative and encourage them to support HB25-1285. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Find your representative: Visit Colorado General Assembly’s website to locate your representative.
- Reach out: Contact them via email or phone. Be polite, clear, and concise in your message, letting them know why you support HB25-1285.
- Make your voice heard: Share your professional perspective and the importance of this bill for the veterinary community. Download FAQ for HB25-1285.
We appreciate your support and involvement in this crucial effort!
Senate Bill 25-159 Telehealth decision tabled to a future meeting.
Last year Colorado overwhelmingly passed—with 94 yes votes—the strongest and most comprehensive veterinary telehealth bill in the nation. Colorado’s existing law expands and ensures the safe, effective use of veterinary telehealth. It clearly defines numerous ways to use telehealth successfully and requires and in-person VCPR before telemedicine use. On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard testimony from 5 CVMA members regarding SB25-159, a bill concerning telehealth. CVMA strongly opposes this bill because it would eliminate the requirement of a hands-on Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) before telemedicine can be used. This could have significant implications for the quality of care we provide. Download FAQ for SB25-159.
The bill sponsors have decided to lay the bill over for action, meaning they will vote on it at an upcoming meeting of the committee. No additional testimony will be heard at this time. Until then, CVMA will continue to voice its opposition to the bill and will keep you informed on the outcome of the vote.
Thank you for your continued advocacy and dedication to our profession! Stay tuned for more updates.
Make a donation to the CVMA PAC, and let’s continue to advocate for a future where veterinary medicine in Colorado can flourish. Together, we can protect and advance our profession for the benefit of all. Together, we can make a difference!
