The bill amends Section 5-25-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-25, "Veterinary Practice," to clarify definitions related to veterinary medicine, including the definition of a veterinarian, who is now defined as a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Rhode Island. It also introduces a new section, 5-25-18, which allows veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, provided they first establish this relationship in person and obtain verbal consent from the client. The bill emphasizes that the same standards of care apply to both telehealth and in-person visits.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific conditions under which veterinarians can prescribe medications after establishing a virtual client-patient relationship. Prescriptions based on virtual examinations are limited to an initial duration of thirty days and cannot be renewed without an additional examination. The legislation aims to modernize veterinary practice by incorporating telemedicine while ensuring that veterinarians adhere to established standards and maintain proper documentation. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
647: 5-25-2