ColoradoAccess to Veterinary Care
What it does
The act requires the state board of veterinary medicine (board) to review and update the existing process by which an individual who has a license to practice veterinary medicine in another state may be licensed by endorsement to practice veterinary medicine in Colorado. The board shall adopt rules with the intent to expedite the licensure by endorsement process, including eliminating duplicative requirements and streamlining the pathway to licensure. The act clarifies that a veterinarian who administers, dispenses, distributes, or prescribes medicine to a patient in an emergency situation is not acting as a pharmacist or conducting the practice of pharmacy, and, as such, is not subject to discipline by the state board of pharmacy.
More detail
The act relocates certain provisions specific to the practice of veterinary medicine from regulation by the state board of pharmacy to regulation under Colorado's veterinary practice act. Under current law, the board must approve a credentialing organization for the purpose of credentialing veterinary technicians, which credentialing organization must require the completion of an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited program for veterinary technicians. The act updates the requirement to require the completion of an accredited program for veterinary technicians offered by other associations. The act also establishes a veterinary prescription drug donation program. An owner of an animal may donate unused veterinary drugs that have been prescribed to the owner to a licensed veterinarian or an animal shelter. A licensed veterinarian may use any drugs accepted through donation if the veterinarian and drugs meet certain conditions.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Apr 23Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 22Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Apr 22Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 2House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
- Mar 31Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - CommitteeMinor
- Mar 25Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1198, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.006. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Mar 9House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Mar 5House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- Mar 2House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.005. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.004, as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1198, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.002. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural ResourcesIntroduced