An Act To Amend the Maine Veterinary Practice Act
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1591
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: DILL, BLACK, SAVIELLO, GOODE
Amends: 32 MRSA §4877

Legislative Document 
No. 1591 
S.P. 640 
In Senate, February 16, 2016 
An Act To Amend the Maine Veterinary Practice Act 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator DILL of Penobscot. 
Cosponsored by Representative BLACK of Wilton and 
Senator: SAVIELLO of Franklin, Representative: GOODE of Bangor. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §4877, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 209, §21, is amended to read: 
§4877.  Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan 
exception; informed consent exception 
In order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a 
veterinarian-client-patient relationship.  A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists 
when a veterinarian: 
1.  Engaged by client.  Has been engaged by the client; 
2.  Assumed responsibility.  Has assumed responsibility for making medical 
judgments regarding the health of the patient; 
3.  Knowledge of patient.  Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a 
preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient and has personal knowledge 
of the keeping and care of the patient as a result of: 
A.  A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian; or 
B.  A medically appropriate and timely visit or visits by the veterinarian to the patient 
while that patient is under the care of the veterinarian's practice; 
4.  Follow-up evaluation.  Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has 
arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment; and 
5.  Records.  Maintains patient records. 
A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary 
medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client 
cannot be identified and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established is not 
subject to any disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5-A 
based solely upon the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient 
relationship. 
A licensed veterinarian may administer a vaccination against rabies, distemper, 
parvovirus, rhinotracheitis or panleukopenia in a vaccination clinic setting in the absence 
of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship if the veterinarian obtains a signed informed 
consent waiver from the pet owner.  The informed consent waiver must include 
information to ensure that the pet owner is aware of the potential adverse events that may 
result from vaccinations and is aware that a vaccine given at a vaccination clinic is not a 
substitute for a complete physical examination. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the Maine Veterinary Practice Act to allow an exception to the 
requirement that a veterinarian must be engaged in a veterinarian-client-patient 
relationship in order to practice veterinary medicine.  This exception allows a veterinarian 
to administer a vaccination against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, rhinotracheitis or 
panleukopenia at a vaccination clinic if the pet owner signs an informed consent waiver.