ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: NREW DPA 6-1-0-0 | 3^rd Read DPA 27-2-1-0 House: LARA DP 9-0-0-0

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SB1194: state veterinarian; certified rabies vaccinator

Sponsor: Senator Borrelli, LD 30

House Engrossed

Overview

Allows a certified rabies vaccinator who is not a licensed veterinarian to administer rabies vaccines to animals on the premises of a shelter or animal rescue organization facility subject to certain conditions and establishes procedures for certifying this vaccinator.

History

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies is a preventable viral disease that infects the central nervous system of mammals causing brain disease and eventual death. Rabies is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. In Arizona, most rabies hosts are bats, skunks and foxes. When rabies infection increases in these groups, other mammals, including bobcats, coyotes, javelina, cats, dogs, horses and cows can become affected. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there were 83 cases of documented rabies-positive wild animals and 53 domestic animals exposed to rabid animals in 2021. In the same year, 18 humans were exposed to rabid animals. The last documented human rabies death in Arizona was in 1981.

Regular rabies vaccinations are effective in preventing rabies in pets and animals. All animals vaccinated against rabies in Arizona must follow the prescriptions of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's Compendium of Animal Rabies Control (2016) including use of a U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed vaccine with at least a three-year duration of immunity. Additionally, all rabies vaccines require boosters (A.A.C. R3-2-409). Only licensed veterinarians may administer rabies vaccines in Arizona (A.R.S. § 11-1001).

All dogs in Arizona must be licensed, which requires the dog's owner or veterinarian to present a signed paper or electronic copy of the dog's rabies vaccination (A.R.S. § 11-1010). There are no rabies vaccination requirements for cats.

Provisions

1. Allows a certified rabies vaccinator who is not a licensed veterinarian to administer rabies vaccines to animals at a shelter or animal rescue organization facility located in a county with a population of less than 400,000 people or a census county division with less than 50,000 people if a licensed veterinarian is not available. (Sec. 1, 3 and 5-6)

2. Requires a licensed veterinarian to provide in-person training and, upon completing training, written certification to each person the veterinarian appoints to administer rabies vaccines. (Sec. 6)

3. States that initial rabies vaccination certifications last for one year and subsequent certifications last for two years upon renewal as prescribed by the State Veterinarian. (Sec. 6)

4. Requires a certified rabies vaccinator to maintain records of all vaccinations administered for three years and record any adverse events. (Sec. 6)

5. Exempts a licensed veterinarian who appoints a certified rabies vaccinator from liability for any action taken by a certified rabies vaccinator while administering a rabies vaccine. (Sec. 6)

6. Exempts a certified rabies vaccinator from veterinarian licensing requirements. (Sec. 4, 7)

7. Requires the State Veterinarian to adopt rules to implement the requirements for training, certifying and overseeing certified rabies vaccinators. (Sec. 2)

8. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-5 and 7)

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12.                   SB 1194

13. Initials PAB/AH     Page 0 House Engrossed

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