DF196A16E8AC693A8725827F006F4FD6 Hearing Summary

Representatives Arndt and J. Becker, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-239, concerning a licensed chiropractor's ability to perform animal chiropractic on an animal patient.  The bill removes the requirement that a registered animal chiropractor receive medical clearance by a licensed veterinarian to perform animal chiropractic treatment if certain education and training requirements are met. Specifically, the chiropractor must complete a one-hour jurisprudence course concerning the laws, rules, and procedures for the identification and notification of certain contagious, infectious, and zoonotic diseases, and completes an eight-hour course on recognizing the earlier indicators and clinical signs of various diseases in dog and equid patients. The bill sets forth the standards for the course and specifies that a chiropractor is not required to retake the courses to renew or reinstate his or her registration to practice animal chiropractic. In addition, the bill requires that two hours of continuing education, out of the current 20-hour requirement, be focused on contagious, infectious, and zoonotic diseases. When treating an animal patient, the chiropractor must notify the licensed veterinarian treating the animal within seven days, or if there is no veterinarian of record, provide documentation on the treatment to the person bringing the animal for treatment. If a chiropractor suspects that the animal patient has had exposure to or is exhibiting symptoms of certain contagious diseases, he or she must stop treatment and notify the animal's licensed veterinarian and the State Veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture.

Diane Matt, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Matt distributed a handout with background of the bill and the practice of animal chiropractic [Attachment B].

Dr. Rachel Wendt, Colorado Chiropractors Association, testified in support of the bill.

Lori Greenstone, Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Alex Turner, Colorado Department of Agriculture and the State Veternarian's Office, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill.

Representatives Arndt and Becker made concluding comments regarding the bill, and committee discussion ensued.