STATEHOUSE (Feb. 28, 2024) – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) to help alleviate the state's current veterinary shortage is headed to the governor's desk where it could soon be signed into law.
In 2020, nearly 70% of Indiana households owned a pet according to Pawlicy Advisor. Currently, Hoosier communities across the state, especially in rural areas, are experiencing a shortage of veterinarians. Livestock and poultry owners are most affected as they are unable to get a doctor on site to care for larger animals that cannot be transported for an office visit.
"Oftentimes in rural areas, it's a veterinary desert and we're struggling to keep up with demand to treat animals like livestock and poultry," Sweet said. "The inability to monitor and treat these animals could impact the food we eat and our economy."
Sweet said to address the shortage, Senate Enrolled Act 104 will collect demographic data during the veterinarian license renewal process. She said the Center for Animal Policy will use the data to develop policies and programs to address workforce shortages and identify trends that could increase access to veterinary care statewide.
Currently, veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians are not allowed to renew a license or registration that has been expired for five years without starting the process over. She said under this bill, the Indiana Board of Veterinarian Medicine would have discretion to direct the terms of license renewal. Sweet said this change could incentivize more veterinarians to reenter the field.
She said the legislation will also bring the Indiana Controlled Substances Act into alignment with federal code to allow mobile veterinarians to dispense controlled substances outside of office locations.
To follow this and other legislation considered for new laws by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2024-bill-watch.
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State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) represents House District 50,
which includes all of Huntington County, and portions of Miami, Wabash and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
