Section 4836.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered veterinary technician or a veterinary assistant may administer a drug, including, but not limited to, a drug that is a controlled substance, under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian when done pursuant to the order, control, and full professional responsibility of a licensed veterinarian. However, no person, other than a licensed veterinarian, may induce anesthesia unless authorized by regulation of the board.

(b) Access to controlled substances by veterinary assistants under this section is limited to persons who have undergone a background check and who, to the best of the licensee manager's knowledge, do not have any drug or alcohol related felony convictions.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), if the Veterinary Medical Board, in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, identifies a dangerous drug, as defined in Section 4022, as a drug which has an established pattern of being diverted, the Veterinary Medical Board may restrict access to that drug by veterinary assistants.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) "Direct supervision" has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(3) "Drug" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 11014 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4) "Indirect supervision" has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (f) of Section 2034 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.

(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015, deletes or extends that date.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 239, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2013. Repealed as of January 1, 2015, by its own provisions.)