CHAPTER 58
HB 290 - FINAL VERSION
15Feb2017... 0144h
2017 SESSION
17-0175
08/09
HOUSE BILL 290
AN ACT relative to rabies vaccination protocols for companion animals.
SPONSORS: Rep. J. Belanger, Hills. 27; Rep. Fraser, Belk. 1; Rep. F. McCarthy, Carr. 2; Rep. McConnell, Ches. 12; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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This bill makes the rabies vaccination protocols for companion animals consistent with national standards.
This bill was requested by the state veterinarian.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Feb2017... 0144h 17-0175
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT relative to rabies vaccination protocols for companion animals.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
58:1 Rabies Vaccinations Protocols. Amend RSA 436:106, I(b) to read as follows:
(b) If the owner is unwilling to destroy the dog, cat, or ferret, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities[, for a minimum of 6 months] shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the [6-month] impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.
58:2 New Paragraph; Unvaccinated Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Bit by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets with Documentation of Expired Vaccination. In the case of dogs, cats, and ferrets in which prior vaccination is documented but has expired and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal or have had a nonbite exposure, the dog, cat, or ferret which was bitten or exposed to rabies shall be handled as follows:
(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.
(b) If the dog, cat, or ferret is not revaccinated within 96 hours of the exposure, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.
58:3 Vaccinated Companion Animals Bitten by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of [90] 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.
58:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 02, 2017
Effective Date: August 01, 2017
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 24, 2017 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 31, 2017 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 15, 2017 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 19, 2017 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 27, 2017 | Senate | Floor Vote |
June 2, 2017: Signed by Governor Sununu 06/02/2017; Chapter 58; Eff. 8/1/2017
May 4, 2017: Enrolled 05/04/2017 HJ 15 P. 47
April 27, 2017: Enrolled (In recess 04/27/2017); SJ 16
April 27, 2017: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/27/2017; SJ 15
April 27, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/27/2017; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
April 19, 2017: Hearing: 04/19/2017, Room 101, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 19
Feb. 16, 2017: Introduced 02/16/2017 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
Feb. 15, 2017: Ought to Pass with Amendment 0144h: MA VV 02/15/2017 HJ 7 P. 11
Feb. 15, 2017: Amendment # 2017-0144h: AA VV 02/15/2017 HJ 7 P. 11
Feb. 15, 2017: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2017-0144h for 02/15/2017 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 11 P. 10
Jan. 31, 2017: Executive Session: 01/31/2017 10:00 AM LOB 303
Jan. 24, 2017: ==RESCHEDULED== Public Hearing: 01/24/2017 11:00 AM LOB 201-203
Jan. 24, 2017: ==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/24/2017 11:00 AM LOB 303
Jan. 5, 2017: Introduced 01/05/2017 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 3 P. 7