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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
veterinarian malpractice actions; damages
Purpose
Allows a person, if the person prevails in a malpractice action against a veterinarian, to receive specified reasonable damages for the death of the person's domestic animal.
Background
A veterinarian commits malpractice when they conduct treatment in a manner contrary to accepted practices and with injurious results (A.R.S. § 32-2201). If the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board (Board) receives information indicating that a veterinarian may have engaged in unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, the Board may appoint one or more investigative committees to interview witnesses, gather evidence and otherwise investigate allegations. If it appears, after investigation, that the information may be true, the Board may issue a notice of formal hearing or request an informal interview with the veterinarian. The Board may impose a temporary suspension for up to 30 days, restrict the veterinarian's license to practice, revoke a veterinarian's permit or license to practice or impose a civil penalty up to $1,000 per violation (A.R.S. §§ 32-2233; 32-2234; and 32-2237).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a person, if the person prevails in a malpractice action against a veterinarian, to receive the following reasonable damages for the death of the person's domestic animal:
a) the fair market value of the domestic animal; and
b) the cost of all reasonable and necessary veterinary medical expenses for the domestic animal resulting from the malpractice activity.
2. Defines domestic animal as a mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian that is not regulated by the statutes relating to agriculture and that is kept primarily as a pet or companion or that is bred to be a pet or companion.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2025
SB/slp