The MVTA has refiled our bill to establish licensing requirements for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts. We have learned a lot over the past few years and are excited to put that knowledge to use in moving our bill closer to the goal this cycle. We need your help to make that happen!

The best way to get exposure for our bill is to reach out to legislators and ask them to sign on as co-sponsors. The people they listen to most are their constituents. So, we are asking you to reach out to your MA Representative and Senator and ask them to co-sponsor our bill. Please feel free to share with any family and friends in your districts as well. The more support the better!

Below is all the info you need to make this request. If you have any questions please email the MVTA Legislative Committee Chair, Erin Spencer, at [email protected].

RECOMMENDED TALKING POINTS FOR PHONE CALLS, EMAILS, AND LETTERS TO LEGISLATORS

House Docket 2330, Bill HD.2330 (malegislature.gov)/

Senate Docket 1897, Bill SD.1897 (malegislature.gov),

An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians.

• If you don’t know who your state representative and state senator are, you can look it up at Find My Legislator (malegislature.gov).

• To find your state senator’s contact info, see Senate Members (malegislature.gov).

• To find your state representative’s contact info, see House Members (malegislature.gov).

FOR PHONE CALLS

• You’ll make two calls – one to your representative and one to your senator.  Reference the House bill (HD) when talking to your representative, and the Senate bill (SD) when talking with your senator.

• Feel free to add a personal sentence or two to the script below.

• You may ask to speak with the legislator, but you’ll most likely talk with a legislative aide.  This is ok.

• Be polite.  Do not argue with the legislator or aide. 

• If you get asked a question to which you don’t have the answer, take the question down and tell them you’ll get back to them.  Then, check-in with Erin promptly.

PHONE SCRIPT

• Hello Rep./Senator…………………….,

• My name is ……………...  I live in your district at …………………

• I am a veterinary technician.  I’m calling to ask you to sign on to sponsor HD 2330/SD 1897.

• This bill would protect consumers and their pets by requiring staff who care for animals at veterinary practices to have appropriate education and training. 

• Currently in Massachusetts, any person, with any level of experience, may work in a veterinary practice and be called a veterinary technician. 

• I’d be honored to have your support.

• Thank you for taking the time to listen. 

 FOR EMAILS AND LETTERS

• You’ll write and send two emails or letters – one to your representative and one to your senator.

• Feel free to add a personal and brief sentence or two, keeping within the spirit of the draft text below.

EMAIL or LETTER TEXT

Dear Representative/Senator__________,

As a constituent, I am writing to ask you to sign on to sponsor House Docket 2330, Bill HD.2330 (malegislature.gov)/Senate Docket 1897, Bill SD.1897 (malegislature.gov), An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians.  This bill would establish within the existing board of registration in veterinary medicine a subsidiary board for veterinary technology that would be subject to the control of the board of registration in veterinary medicine.

Currently in Massachusetts, any person, with any level of experience, may work in a veterinary practice and be called a veterinary technician.  The purpose of this bill is to develop and implement educational and practice standards for veterinary technicians within the practice of veterinary medicine.  This bill would protect consumers and their pets by requiring staff who care for animals at veterinary offices to have appropriate education and training. 

I think this is a particularly important bill and I’d be honored to have your support as a co-sponsor. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME & ADDRESS