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, including limitations on the duration of prescriptions (initially for no more than thirty days and not renewable without an additional examination) and the requirement for in-person examinations for controlled substances. It 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 also required to disclose a description of services and standard charges in a consumer-friendly manner on their website. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7020: 5-25-2