Loading chat...

FL H0849

Bill

Status

Passed

6/24/2024

Primary Sponsor

Sam Killebrew

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2024 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Defines "veterinary telehealth" as the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology to provide veterinary health care services, including assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and monitoring, effective July 1, 2024
  • Authorizes Florida-licensed veterinarians to establish a veterinarian/client/patient relationship via telehealth using synchronous audiovisual communication, but prohibits initial evaluations through audio-only, text messaging, questionnaires, or chatbots
  • Limits telehealth-only prescriptions to FDA-approved animal drugs for up to 1 month for flea and tick products and up to 14 days for other animal drugs, with no renewals without an in-person examination
  • Prohibits telehealth prescribing of controlled substances, human-approved drugs, and compounded antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral/antiparasitic medications unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person exam or made timely premises visits; also bars telehealth prescribing for racehorses
  • Requires veterinarians using telehealth for initial evaluations to provide clients with their license information, contact details for a nearby physical veterinary clinic, follow-up care instructions in case of technology failure, and to obtain a signed client acknowledgment before proceeding

Legislative Description

Veterinary Practices

Last Action

Chapter No. 2024-260

6/24/2024

Committee Referrals

Commerce Committee1/11/2024
Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee12/27/2023

Full Bill Text

No bill text available