The bill amends the existing veterinary practice laws in Rhode Island to include provisions for establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through telemedicine. It introduces a new section, 5-25-18, which allows veterinarians to use synchronous audiovisual electronic means to create this relationship, provided they are licensed in Rhode Island and obtain verbal consent from the client. The bill outlines specific requirements, including maintaining documentation for at least one year and adhering to the same standards of care as in-person visits.

Additionally, the bill specifies conditions under which veterinarians may prescribe medications based on virtual examinations. Prescriptions based on a virtual veterinary client-patient relationship may be issued initially for no more than thirty (30) days and can only be renewed for an additional thirty (30) days after an additional virtual or in-person examination. A prescription renewed once based solely on virtual examinations cannot be renewed again without an in-person examination. Furthermore, veterinarians are prohibited from prescribing controlled substances unless they have conducted an in-person examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

The act emphasizes that services provided through veterinary telemedicine must comply with state laws and regulations governing the veterinary provider's scope of practice. Each telemedicine provider is required to disclose to consumers a description of services and standard charges in a consumer-friendly display that is easily accessible on the provider's website. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5555: 5-25-2
5555  SUB A: 5-25-2