FL S0448

Authorizes veterinarians to practice telemedicine in Florida through two-way, real-time interactive communication with clients and patients, provided they have access to and can review relevant patient information before the visit.

Requires veterinarians using telemedicine to establish a veterinarian/client/patient relationship and meet professional standards of care, but prohibits prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine unless the veterinarian has previously performed an in-person examination or made medically appropriate visits to the animal's premises, with an exception for consulting veterinarians treating terminal hospice patients.

Establishes that veterinarians licensed in Florida may practice telemedicine regardless of their physical office location, and the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine has jurisdiction over such practices; practicing telemedicine is not a standard of care violation.

Allows employees, agents, or contractors of animal control authorities to administer rabies vaccinations to impounded animals under indirect supervision of a veterinarian (available by telecommunications but not physically present), with the supervising veterinarian assuming responsibility for the vaccination.

Permits veterinarians who indirectly supervise rabies vaccination administration to affix their signature stamp on rabies vaccination certificates and modifies language regarding veterinarian examination methods to include telemedicine and instrumentation with transmitted images.