HB 1945 -- ACTIONS AGAINST VETERINARIANS

SPONSOR:  Brown (149)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee of
Emerging Issues in Animal Agriculture by a vote of 10 to 1.

Currently, the statute of limitations on filing any action for
medical malpractice against specified health care providers is
two years.  This bill adds veterinarians to the list of providers
subject to the statute of limitations.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will provide parity
with other health care providers regarding the statute of
limitations on the filing of any action for malpractice.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Brown (149); Dr.
David Craig; and Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they want
veterinarians to be accountable and reliable because a mistake by
a veterinarian has the potential to affect a large number of
people.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Association Trial
Attorneys.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm