FL H1117

Cited as the "Providing Equity in Telemedicine Services (PETS) Act," the bill defines "veterinary telemedicine" as the practice of veterinary medicine using synchronous, audiovisual, interactive telecommunications technology and authorizes licensed Florida veterinarians to practice it, with the Board of Veterinary Medicine retaining jurisdiction regardless of the veterinarian's physical location.

Veterinarians practicing telemedicine must establish a veterinarian/client/patient relationship, provide the client with the veterinarian's identity, license number, contact information, and the contact details for at least one nearby physical veterinary clinic, and obtain a signed acknowledgment from the client.

Veterinarians may order, prescribe, or make available medicinal drugs via telemedicine, but may not prescribe controlled substances unless they have performed an in-person physical examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

Employees, agents, or contractors of county or municipal animal control authorities may administer rabies vaccinations to impounded dogs, cats, and ferrets under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, who assumes responsibility and may use a signature stamp on the rabies vaccination certificate in lieu of an actual signature.

Effective date is July 1, 2023.