NOTE:  This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor.  To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
      history, or the Session Laws.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 08-1042
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) McKinley, Butcher, Gallegos, Gardner C.,
      Looper, McFadyen, McGihon, McNulty, Rose, Sonnenberg, Stafford,
      Swalm, and Todd;
      also SENATOR(S) Brophy, Tochtrop, and Tupa.
      
      
      Concerning an exemption from the "Colorado Veterinary Practice
           Act" for trained animal massage practitioners.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  12-64-104 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended
      BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read:
      
           12-64-104.  License requirements and exceptions - definitions. 
      (1)  No person may practice veterinary medicine in this state who is not a
      licensed veterinarian.  No person may practice artificial insemination or ova
      transplantation of cattle or other animal species in this state except in
      accordance with section 12-64-105 (9) (c).  This article shall not be
      construed to prohibit:
      
           (o) (I)  Any person from performing massage on an animal if:
      
           (A)  The person does not prescribe drugs, perform surgery,
      or diagnose medical conditions; and
      
           (B)  The person has earned a degree or certificate in animal
      massage from a school approved by the private occupational
      school division of the Colorado department of higher education
      under article 59 of this title, an out-of-state school offering an
      animal massage program with an accreditation recognized by the
      United States department of education, or a school that is exempt
      under section 12-59-104.
      
           (II)  As used in this paragraph (o):
      
           (A)  "Massage" means a method of treating the body for
      remedial or hygienic purposes through techniques that include,
      without limitation, rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping with
      the hand or an instrument or both.  These techniques may be
      applied with or without the aid of a massage device that mimics the
      actions possible using human hands.
      
           SECTION 2.  Effective date - applicability.  (1)  This act shall take
      effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day
      period after final adjournment of the general assembly that is allowed for
      submitting a referendum petition pursuant to article V, section 1 (3) of the
      state constitution, (August 6, 2008, if adjournment sine die is on May 7,
      2008); except that, if a referendum petition is filed against this act or an
      item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
      section, or part, if approved by the people, shall take effect on the date of
      the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor.
      
           (2)  The provisions of this act shall apply to treatment of animals
      occurring on or after the applicable effective date of this act.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Andrew Romanoff                        Peter C. Groff
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                          Karen Goldman
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    Bill Ritter, Jr.
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO