The bill amends existing laws regarding veterinarian-client-patient relationships in Washington State by establishing clear criteria for their formation and the use of telehealth services. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship is defined as existing when the veterinarian assumes responsibility for the animal's health, has sufficient knowledge of the animal (through physical examination or telehealth under certain conditions), and is available for follow-up care. The bill allows for ongoing care via telemedicine once this relationship is established, while also outlining specific telehealth services that can be provided without an established relationship, such as teleadvice and emergency teletriage.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to telehealth, including "teleadvice" and "telehealth," which encompasses various technologies for delivering veterinary services remotely. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship for prescribing medications and outlines the responsibilities of veterinarians when providing care through telehealth, including obtaining client consent and ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The bill also includes provisions for the oversight of drug use in farm operations and mandates that medical records be maintained according to board rules.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 18.92.015