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S. 979
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Sheheen
Document Path: l:\s-res\vas\023anim.eb.vas.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 981, 5160
Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2016
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Summary: Defines animal shelters and veterinary services
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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1/13/2016 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 52)
1/13/2016 Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources (Senate Journal-page 52)
3/24/2016 Senate Committee report: Favorable Agriculture and Natural
Resources (Senate Journal-page 2)
3/31/2016 Scrivener's error corrected
5/31/2016 Senate Recommitted to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 24, 2016
S. 979
S. Printed 3/24/16--S. [SEC 3/31/16 2:59 PM]
Read the first time January 13, 2016.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 979) to amend Chapter 69, Title 40 of the 1976 Code, relating to veterinarians, by adding Section 40-69-300 to define animal shelter and veterinary services, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
DANIEL B. VERDIN III for Committee.
TO AMEND CHAPTER 69, TITLE 40 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO VETERINARIANS, BY ADDING SECTION 40-69-300 TO DEFINE ANIMAL SHELTER AND VETERINARY SERVICES; TO PROVIDE FOR REGULATION OF ANIMAL SHELTERS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MEDICAL RECORD MAINTENANCE AND RETENTION POLICIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 69, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 40-69-300. (A) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Animal shelter' means:
(a) a facility operated by or under contract with the State or a county, a municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State for the purpose of impounding, care, adoption or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals;
(b) a veterinary hospital or clinic operated by a veterinarian or veterinarians which operates for the purpose set forth in subitem (a) in addition to its customary purposes; or
(c) a facility operated, owned, or maintained by an incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, or other nonprofit organization for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals, and for the purpose of impounding, care, adoption or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals.
(2) 'Veterinary services' means the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of animal patients, administration of vaccines, diagnostic, imaging, surgery, laboratory, pharmacology, and provision of hospitalization and emergency treatment.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all animal shelters operating in this State that provide veterinary services shall be subject to the supervision and regulation of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
(C) Veterinarians providing veterinary services in an animal shelter, and all animal shelters, shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a written or electronic record concerning the animals in its care. The shelter shall maintain records for a minimum of three years after the last entry. A copy of any records relating to an animal whose ownership is being transferred shall be provided to the owner at the time of adoption or fostering.
(D) Animal shelters shall prepare and maintain records documenting the number of animals admitted to the facility and the method by which they exit the facility, whether by adoption, fostering, natural death, euthanasia, transfer to another state, or other means of discharge. This data shall be compiled in a report and submitted to the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation by January 31st of each year and made available on the department's website. The report shall also contain the mailing address, street address of the current place of business, and working telephone number of the animal shelter."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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