Fay bill supporting veterinarians advances in Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee voted last week to advance legislation sponsored by State Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, that would prohibit an employer from requiring or permitting a veterinarian to enter into a noncompete agreement unless they have an ownership interest in the practice. 

State Rep. Jessica Fay

Fay’s bill would also prohibit a court from enforcing a noncompete agreement that was signed prior to the date the bill would become law.

“It is difficult to access veterinary care in Maine, especially in our more rural communities,” said Fay. “Noncompete agreements add to that inaccessibility by putting restrictions on veterinarians that move on to other practices, for those seeking their veterinary services.”

In the 130th Legislature, Fay sponsored legislation to increase the number of loans, and the amount of funding, available to emergency and agricultural veterinarians from the Finance Authority of Maine. LD 688 would further efforts to support Maine’s veterinary workers.

The bill now faces important votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.

Fay is the Maine House chair of the Government Oversight Committee and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs. She is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents the community members of Casco, Frye Island, Raymond and part of Poland. <