Committee approves bill to certify animal chiropractors after debate over veterinary oversight

The House Health Full Committee passed House Bill 164, as amended, advancing the measure to the Government Operations Committee by a roll-call tally of 15 ayes, 6 nays and 2 present-not-voting. The bill would establish education, testing and registration requirements for chiropractors and veterinarians who perform animal chiropractic care and would specify activities that are not included in animal chiropractic practice.

Sponsor and purpose: Speaker Marsh, sponsor of House Bill 164, told the committee the bill’s purpose is to "establish educational standards, which must be met by chiropractic physicians and veterinarians who perform animal chiropractic work," and to allow owners to choose certified providers. The measure defines animal chiropractic as “the evaluation and treatment of a nonhuman vertebrae or extremity joint dysfunction through spinal joint or musculoskeletal manipulative therapy and soft tissue therapy” and bars animal chiropractors from performing surgery, dispensing or administering medications, or providing traditional veterinary medical care.

What the bill requires: Under the bill, chiropractors seeking to treat…