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California Veterinary Medical Board takes positions on several 2025 bills: opposes declaw, physical-therapy and chiropractor expansions; supports sunset bill; "
Summary
At its meeting the board voted positions on multiple bills. The board opposed AB 867 (declaw ban), AB 1458 (animal physical therapy expansion), SB 687 (animal chiropractic scope expansion), took a support position on the board's sunset bill AB 1502, and supported SB 602 (RVT vaccination authority for shelters) with clarifying language.
The California Veterinary Medical Board voted on a slate of 2025 bills that could affect veterinary practice, animal care and licensing.
Summary of board positions - AB 867 (declaw/declination of claws): The board voted to oppose the bill. Members reiterated the board's long-standing stance that legislative commands about specific clinical procedures risk intruding on professional judgment and could create reporting burdens; board staff noted the bill would require veterinarians to file written statements with the board whenever a declaw procedure was performed, a requirement members said would be burdensome and potentially subject to public-record requests.
- AB 1458 (animal physical therapy): The board voted to oppose the measure that would authorize licensed human physical therapists to provide animal rehabilitation without registering with or being licensed by the veterinary board. Board staff warned that the bill lacks a workable licensing or verification mechanism and would create enforcement difficulties because neither the physical-therapy board nor the veterinary board would be required to verify qualifications on an ongoing basis.
- SB 687 (animal chiropractic expansion): The board voted to oppose SB 687's attempt to allow doctors of chiropractic to deliver animal chiropractic services without veterinary supervision if they hold specified certifications. Board members and public commenters highlighted concerns about a nonveterinary board setting minimum practice and disciplinary standards for activities that are effectively veterinary care; the board requested clarifying amendments if the bill proceeds.
- AB 1502 (board sunset/housekeeping): The board voted to support AB 1502, the board's sunset bill, which contains technical and operational proposals for the Board and information required for the joint legislative sunset review process. Board staff recommended support and the board concurred.
- SB 602 (RVT vaccination authority for shelters): The board voted to support SB 602 with requested clarifying amendments to ensure the bill applies to registered veterinary premises that are animal-control agencies, humane societies or private/state shelters; staff asked the board to request a definition or clarification for "private animal shelter" to avoid ambiguity. The board authorized staff to work with the bill's authors and cosponsors to refine language.
How board arrived at its positions Board members weighed stakeholder letters, staff analyses and public comment in each case. Opposition to bills that expand nonveterinarian scopes of practice (AB 1458 and SB 687) was driven by concerns about enforcement and public-safety oversight if a nonveterinary licensing board regulated activities that occur on animals. The board also emphasized it supports collaboration and clarified pathways that maintain veterinarian oversight.
Next steps Staff will transmit the board's positions to legislative committees and continue dialogue with bill authors when the board asked for clarifying amendments. Several bills remain subject to amendment, and the board instructed staff to work with legislative offices and stakeholders to seek fixes where possible.
