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 as a person who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Rhode Island. It introduces a new section, 5-25-18, which authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to specific limitations and requirements.

Before establishing a veterinarian client-patient relationship through electronic means, a veterinarian must: (1) be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Rhode Island; (2) establish a veterinarian client-patient relationship in person; (3) obtain verbal consent from the client to establish the relationship through electronic means, including an acknowledgment that the same standards of care under state law and regulations apply to both telehealth and in-person visits; and (4) maintain documentation of this consent for at least one year.

The bill also requires veterinarians to make a good faith effort to determine whether care should be provided through telemedicine or in-person, using clinical judgment based on the nature of the services and the circumstances of the patient. Additionally, it outlines conditions under which veterinarians can prescribe medications after establishing a virtual client-patient relationship, including limitations on the duration of prescriptions and requirements for in-person examinations for renewals. All services provided through veterinary telemedicine must comply with state laws and regulations governing the veterinary provider's scope of practice. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
647: 5-25-2