The bill amends the Public Health Code to establish specific requirements for veterinarians to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. It outlines that a veterinarian must assume responsibility for the animal's health, have current knowledge of the animal's condition, and be available for emergencies. The bill allows for examinations through telehealth under certain conditions, including the requirement that the veterinarian must not conduct electronic examinations for non-companion animals or for issuing health certificates. Additionally, it mandates that if a veterinarian conducts an electronic examination, they can only prescribe a limited supply of medication without an in-person follow-up.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that veterinarians must notify pet owners about the availability of prescriptions at pharmacies and cannot prescribe controlled substances without an in-person examination. Definitions for terms such as "companion animal," "pet health certificate," and "telehealth" are also included to clarify the bill's provisions. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of Senate Bill No. 194 of the 103rd Legislature.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 333.1101, 333.25211