S 0306  General Bill, By Davis
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO THE INOCULATION OF PETS AGAINST RABIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A
 LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY ADMINISTER A RABIES ANTIBODY TITER TO DETERMINE
 WHETHER TO ADMINISTER A RABIES BOOSTER VACCINE TO A PET.
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   01/08/19  Senate Introduced and read first time
                     (Senate Journal-page 177)
   01/08/19  Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources (Senate Journal-page 177)

TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE INOCULATION OF PETS AGAINST RABIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN MAY ADMINISTER A RABIES ANTIBODY TITER TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ADMINISTER A RABIES BOOSTER VACCINE TO A PET.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 47-5-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 47-5-60.    (A)    A pet owner must have his pet inoculated against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The rabies inoculation for pets must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or someone under a licensed veterinarian's direct supervision, as defined in Section 40-69-20. Evidence of rabies inoculation is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccination certificate forms may be provided by the licensed veterinarian or by the department or its designee. The veterinarian may stamp or write his name and address on the certificate. The certificate must include information recommended by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. The licensed veterinarian administering or supervising the administration of the vaccine shall provide one copy of the certificate to the owner of the pet and must retain one copy in his files for not less than three years. With the issuance of the certificate, the licensed veterinarian shall furnish a serially numbered metal license tag bearing the same number and year as the certificate with the name and telephone number of the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or practice. The metal license tag at all times must be attached to a collar or harness worn by the pet for which the certificate and tag have been issued. Annually before February first, the veterinarian shall report to the department the number of animals inoculated against rabies during the preceding year. The department, in conjunction with licensed veterinarians, shall promote annual rabies clinics. The fee for rabies inoculation at these clinics may not exceed ten dollars, including the cost of the vaccine, and this charge must be paid by the pet owner. Fees collected by veterinarians at these clinics are their compensation.

(B)    A licensed veterinarian may administer a rabies antibody titer to determine whether to administer a rabies booster vaccine to a pet. A rabies antibody titer that shows an adequate immune response shall be accepted in lieu of a rabies booster vaccination for all legal requirements in this State."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.