Date: 02/11/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1187

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001. The motion passed without o
Refer House Bill 15-1187, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:14 AM -- HB 15-1187

Representative Lebsock sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1187, concerning mental health evaluations of licensed veterinarians conducted by a veterinarian peer health assistance program as ordered by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine (board). The bill would authorize the board to require a licensed veterinarian to submit to a mental health examination to determine a licensed veterinarian's ability to practice if the board has reasonable cause to believe that he or she is unable to practice veterinary medicine due to a mental illness condition, excessive use of alcohol, or addiction to a controlled substance. The bill would also authorize the board to enter into an agreement with a licensed veterinarian to limit his or her practice based on the restrictions imposed by his or her illness, condition, or disorder, as determined by the board. Representative Lebsock distributed a fact sheet on the bill (Attachment A).

150211 AttachA.pdf150211 AttachA.pdf

11:16 AM -- Dr. Erin Epperly, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), spoke in support of the bill. Dr. Epperly explained the need for a peer health assistance program and responded to questions from the committee regarding how many veterinarians would utilize peer assistance services. Committee discussion ensued regarding the peer health program and how often it would be used.

11:33 AM -- Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee regarding how the board would determine which veterinarians would be required to participate in a peer assistance program.

11:36 AM -- Dr. Bill Fredregill, CVMA and practicing veterinarian, spoke in support of the bill and explained the need for a peer health assistance program for licensed veterinarians. Dr. Fredregill responded to questions from the committee regarding the suspension of veterinary practitioners. Committee discussion ensued regarding the interaction between the board and the licensed veterinarian participating in the peer assistance program.

11:54 AM -- Dr. Aubrey Lavizzo, CVMA and practicing veterinarian, spoke in support of the bill. Dr. Lavizzo shared background with the committee regarding mental health and substance abuse among veterinarians.

12:07 PM

Rep Lebsock presented Amendment L.001 (Attachment B) and Ronnie Hines, Department of Regulatory Agencies, responded to questions from the committee regarding the regulation of licensed veterinarians.

150211 AttachB.pdf150211 AttachB.pdf
BILL:HB15-1187
TIME: 12:08:14 PM
MOVED:Lebsock
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Arndt
Brown
Buck
Excused
Coram
DelGrosso
Dore
Esgar
Ginal
Lebsock
Mitsch Bush
Saine
Becker K.
Vigil
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB15-1187
TIME: 12:16:17 PM
MOVED:Lebsock
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1187, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 12-0.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Arndt
Yes
Brown
Yes
Buck
Excused
Coram
Yes
DelGrosso
Yes
Dore
Yes
Esgar
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Lebsock
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Saine
Yes
Becker K.
Yes
Vigil
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




12:17 PM

The committee adjourned.