321.175 Purpose of chapter.
538 words·~2 min read·
/ky/chapter-321/321-175A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
(1)This chapter shall be known as the Kentucky Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
(2)It is hereby declared that:
(a)The practices of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal
euthanasia, and allied animal health professionals and the operation of
veterinary facilities, AAHP facilities, and board-certified animal control
agencies are privileges which are granted by legislative authority and are
subject to regulation and control in the interest of public health, safety, and
welfare to protect the public from:
1. Being misled by incompetent, unscrupulous, and unauthorized
practitioners;
2. Unprofessional or illegal practices by persons licensed to practice
veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal euthanasia, and the
allied animal health professions;
3. Substandard care; and
4. Unlicensed persons;
(b)It is a matter of public interest and concern that the practices of veterinary
medicine, veterinary technology, animal euthanasia, and allied animal health
professions working on animals merit and receive the confidence of the public
and that only qualified individuals be permitted to practice these professions
in the Commonwealth. This chapter shall be liberally construed to carry out
these objectives and purposes;
(c)The intent of this chapter is to regulate the professions of veterinary medicine,
veterinary technology, animal euthanasia, and allied animal health
professional work on animals and to establish standards for veterinary
premises and AAHP premises, both fixed and mobile, and shall result in
displacing competition by restricting licensure, permitting, certification, and
registration to practice these professions, as this practice is defined and
interpreted by the board, to persons and premises determined by the board to
be qualified under this chapter; and
(d)Any resulting restriction on competition is outweighed by the broader interest
in protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. It is understood that the
regulatory structure calls for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, AAHPs,
and citizens at large to serve on the board and this chapter recognizes the need
for professional expertise provided by veterinarians and veterinary technicians
serving the public interest.
(3)This chapter is intended to provide active oversight and supervision through its
legislative enactment, the promulgation of administrative regulations, the
appointment of board members by the Governor, legal representation of the board
by competent counsel, legislative appropriation of moneys and spending authority
to support the board, and engagement in the administrative regulation review
process under the auspices of the Legislative Research Commission.
(4)It is the purpose of this chapter to promote, preserve, and protect the public health,
safety, and welfare by and through the licensure, permitting, certification,
registration, and regulation of individuals, whether physically located within or
outside of the Commonwealth, who practice veterinary medicine, veterinary
technology, animal euthanasia, and AAHP services within Kentucky, and the
registration of veterinary facility locations, AAHP facility locations, and mobile
facilities where veterinary medicine or AAHP activities are being practiced. In
furtherance of this purpose, the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners is
created, and its members, functions, and procedures shall be established in
accordance with this chapter.
(5)The purpose of this chapter is to establish a comprehensive scheme to fully occupy
the fields of veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, AAHP work on animals,
and animal euthanasia, and provide a uniform regulatory scheme to be enforced by
the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners as defined in the scopes of practice.