AN ACT

 

1Amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2Statutes, further providing for definitions and for
3sanitation standards.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1. The definition of "veterinarian-client-patient 
7relationship" in section 2501 of Title 3 of the Pennsylvania
8Consolidated Statutes is amended and the section is amended by
9adding definitions to read:

10§ 2501. Definitions.

11The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
12shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
13context clearly indicates otherwise:

14* * *

15"Interstate <-health certificate certificate of veterinary
16inspection." A legible official document that is:

17(1) made on a form issued by the chief livestock health
 

1official of the state of origin or the United States 
2Department of Agriculture;

3(2) prepared by an accredited veterinarian of the state
4of origin certifying the health of the animal described in
5the certificate; and

6(3) validated by the chief livestock health official of
7the state of origin.

8* * *

9"Pennsylvania health certificate." A legible official
10document that is:

11(1) made on a form (AAI-13) provided by the department;
12and

13(2) prepared by an accredited Pennsylvania veterinarian
14or a representative of the department certifying the health
15of animals described in the certificate according to the
16health requirements established under Chapter 23 (relating to
17domestic animals) and regulations promulgated under Chapter
1823.

19["Veterinarian-client-patient<-] "Veterinarian consultation 
20relationship." A relationship in which[:

21(1) the veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for
22making veterinary medical judgments regarding the health of
23the animal and the need for veterinary medical treatment; and

24(2)] the owner or caretaker of the animal has assumed 
25responsibility to consult a veterinarian and has agreed to
26follow the instructions of the veterinarian in relation to
27zoonotic diseases and implementing best management practices 
28intended to reduce and prevent diseases.

29* * *

30Section 2. Section 2502(a)(3) of Title 3 is amended to read:

1§ 2502. Sanitation standards.

2(a) Minimum.--The following sanitation standards are
3required to minimize the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease
4at an animal exhibition:

5* * *

6(3) A person may not bring an animal to an animal
7exhibition unless the person [has an established
8veterinarian-client-patient relationship.] provides the 
9operator with one of the following:

10(i) Except as provided under subparagraph (ii), a
11valid Pennsylvania health certificate or interstate
<-12health certificate certificate of veterinary inspection.

13(ii) A signed statement by the person attesting that
14a <-veterinarian-client-patient veterinary consultation
15relationship exists with regard to each animal to be
16exhibited, if a Pennsylvania <-health certificate or
17interstate <-health certificate certificate of veterinary
18inspection is not specifically required under Chapter 23
19(relating to domestic animals) and regulations
20promulgated under Chapter 23.

21* * *

22Section 3. This act shall take effect <-in 60 days 
<-23immediately.