STATEMENT OF SCOPE
Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board (VEB)
Rule No.: Chs. VE 1 and 7, Wis. Adm. Code (Existing) Relating to: The definition of Surgery; complementary, alternative and integrative therapies: and delegation of certain veterinary medical acts
1. Description of the objective of the rule:
This proposed rule may broaden the definition of surgery to include surgeries for reproductive, cosmetic and other purposes. (s. VE 1.02 (9).) This proposed rule may modify the definition of complimentary, alternative and integrative therapy to align it with the definition of veterinary practice ins. 89.02 (6), Stats., and to add additional therapies. (s. VE 1.02 (3m).) Finally this proposed rule will explore possible changes to the delegation of medical acts. (s. VE 7.02.) 2. Description of existing policies relevant to the rule and of new policies proposed to be included in the rule and an analysis of policy alternatives; the history, background and justification for the proposed rule:
History and background.
The current definition of surgery is limited to procedures that are for therapeutic purposes leaving uncertain whether surgeries for reproductive, cosmetic and other purposes fall within the definition. Under the current definition of complementary, alternative and integrated therapies" it is not clear that those therapies fall within the statutory definition of the practice of veterinary
medicine. The definition of complementary, alternative and integrated therapies does not include certain practices that have that have developed since the last change to the rule and the rule related to delegation of veterinary medical acts similarly precedes the development of these newer therapies.
Policy Alternatives. Do nothing. If the VEB does not modify the definition of surgery there may be continuing uncertainty concerning the regulation of surgery for reproductive, cosmetic and other purposes that do not fall clearly within the notion of "therapeutic". If the VEB does not modify the definition of alternative therapies, practice of those newer therapies will not be
treated by the rules; and if the delegation of veterinary medical acts is not updated the authorized manner of providing these new therapies may not conform to current practice.
3. Statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
89.03 (1) The examining board shall promulgate rules within the limits of the definition under s. 89.02 (6), establishing the scope of practice permitted for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and shall review the rules at least once every 5 years to determine whether they are consistent with current practice. 4. Estimate of the amount of time that state employees will spend to develop the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The time of approximately 0.20 FTE staff will be required to develop this rule. That includes time required for investigation and analysis, rule drafting, preparing related documents, coordinating advisory committee meetings, holding public hearings and communicating with affected persons and groups.
5. Description of all entities that may be impacted by the rule:
The proposed rule will affect veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
6. Summary and preliminary comparison of any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the rule:
There are no federal regulations that address the activities regulated by the proposed rule.
7. Anticipated economic impact
The VEB expects the proposed rule to have minimal to no economic impact statewide and locally.
Contact Person: Dennis Fay, legal counsel to the VEB, Phone (608) 224-5006
