340.210. Seal--powers of board--rulemaking procedure.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

340.210. Seal--powers of board--rulemaking procedure.

Seal--powers of board--rulemaking procedure.

340.210. 1. The board shall adopt and have a common seal bearing thename "Missouri Veterinary Medical Board".

2. The powers of the board are granted to enable the board toeffectively supervise the practice of veterinary medicine and to carry outthe intent and provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330, and, therefore,are to be construed liberally in order to accomplish such objectives.

3. Including, but not limited to, the board shall have the power to:

(1) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness ofapplicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state;

(2) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke, or place on probation anylicense, certificate, authority or permit to practice or assist in thepractice of veterinary medicine in this state, or to otherwise disciplineor assess civil monetary penalties or order restitution, or other actionsconsistent with the provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330 and the rulesadopted thereunder;

(3) Conduct investigations of complaints or other investigations asdeemed necessary by the board for the purpose of discovering violations of*sections 340.200 to 340.330 or grounds for disciplining any person licensedor regulated under sections 340.200 to 340.330, and to contract for orappoint persons or committees to assist in such investigations;

(4) Hold hearings, issue subpoenas and take testimony bearing on therecords of applicants for licensing or licensees who may be underconsideration by the board for discipline and to issue final orders of theboard on such matters that come before the board;

(5) Issue permits to and, upon complaint by any person, inspect anyveterinary facility utilized by any practicing veterinarian or from whichthe practice of veterinary medicine is conducted. Such inspection shallnot include any vehicle used in the practice of veterinary medicine, unlessthe board has received a complaint regarding such vehicle, then the boardmay inspect the vehicle. Such inspection shall be made by the board, aboard member or other authorized representatives as appointed by the board.The results of the inspection shall be reported to the board, on formsprescribed by the board, the purpose of which shall be to ensure compliancewith the provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330 or board rulespromulgated thereunder for such facilities or for seeking disciplinaryaction in all instances where the board has reason to believe there are ormay be violations of such provisions or rules;

(6) Provide registration for veterinary technicians, temporarylicensees and provisional licensees and to adopt rules concerning thetraining, supervision and service limits, and continuing education of suchpersons while employed or acting under the supervision of licensedveterinarians and to have exclusive jurisdiction in determining theeligibility and qualification requirements and in granting or refusing togrant any registration, certificate or license for any such person or todiscipline any person so registered or licensed under the provisions ofsections 340.200 to 340.330 or by board rule;

(7) Fix by board rule minimum standards for, but not limited to, thepractice of veterinary medicine, medical records, emergency services,radiological services, dispensed drug labeling, nursing care, veterinaryfacilities, sanitation and sterilization, veterinarian-client-patientrelationships, and continuing education;

(8) Employ full- or part-time personnel, including an executivedirector, professional, clerical or special personnel as necessary toeffectuate the provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330 and to rent orpurchase any necessary space, equipment and supplies within availableappropriations;

(9) Establish fees necessary to administer the provisions of sections340.200 to 340.330;

(10) Authorize the chairman or vice chairman to sign complaints orreferrals for proceedings before the administrative hearing commission orin a court of competent jurisdiction as necessary for the enforcement ofsections 340.200 to 340.330;

(11) Appoint from its own membership one or more members to act asrepresentatives of the board at any meeting within or without the statewhen such representation is deemed desirable;

(12) Establish standing or ad hoc committees from its membership tofacilitate its work effectively, fulfill its duties and to exercise itspowers. Such committees must consist of at least two board members totransact business. Any business or action of the committee shall have noeffect until and unless the business or action is ratified by a majorityvote of the full board;

(13) Adopt, amend or repeal all rules necessary to carry into effectthe provisions of sections 340.200 to 340.330, including, but not limitedto, the establishment and publication of rules of professional conduct forthe practice of veterinary medicine and such rules as it deems necessary tosupervise the practice of veterinary medicine. Such rules must bepublished and made available upon request to persons licensed or registeredunder sections 340.200 to 340.330 at no cost and distributed at no cost toall applicants for licensing or registration under sections 340.200 to340.330. Any proposed rulemaking, revision or amendment thereto, shall beaccomplished in accordance with the requirements and provisions of chapter536, RSMo;

(14) Assist the attorney general in any proper action to oust frompractice unlawful practitioners or remove from practice licensed orregistered persons in violation of any provision of sections 340.200 to340.330 or board rule and assist with any prosecution for criminalviolations of sections 340.200 to 340.330; and

(15) Enter into contracts with any entity, public or private, for thepurpose of having examinations prepared, graded, evaluated, proctored, orfor any other examination service deemed desirable or necessary by theboard.

4. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority ofthis chapter shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuantto the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo.