Veterinary medicine: California Veterinary Medical Board.

Assembly Member Berman's comprehensive veterinary medicine reform package extends the California Veterinary Medical Board's authority through 2030 while expanding its membership and oversight capabilities. The legislation modifies board composition to include an additional registered veterinary technician and requires at least one veterinarian member to specialize in equine or livestock care.

The bill establishes new requirements for veterinary record-keeping and client communications, mandating that practitioners provide medical records upon request and maintain detailed payment histories. For critical cases or transfers of care, veterinarians must furnish records or summaries to facilitate continuity of treatment. The legislation also revises the board's inspection protocol, shifting from mandatory annual quotas to a more flexible system of announced and unannounced visits.

Registration requirements for veterinary technicians now include expanded qualification pathways and mandatory fingerprint-based background checks. The bill implements structured continuing education programs requiring veterinarians to complete 36 hours and veterinary technicians 20 hours biennially. These requirements encompass specific training in antimicrobial drug use and allow credits for activities like pro bono services and examination preparation workshops.

The measure introduces tiered registration fees based on practice size and strengthens disciplinary procedures by authorizing fines up to $10,000 for unlicensed practice. It also establishes clear protocols for veterinary telehealth services, including requirements for establishing valid veterinarian-client-patient relationships and limitations on remote prescribing practices.