Under Spaying and Neutering, FL H.B. 719/S.B. 722 would allow out-of-state veterinarians to perform dog or cat sterilization services or routine preventative health services at the time of sterilization as an unpaid volunteer under the supervision of a state-licensed veterinarian. Under Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship: Telemedicine, FL S.B. 554 would: 1. Clarify that having an in-person examination is required to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR); 2. Allow telemedicine to maintain a VCPR; 3. Allow a veterinarian with an existing VCPR to refer a specific patient to a specialist and the specialist to consult directly with the client through telemedicine under the referring veterinarian’s VCPR as long as the referring veterinarian is updated and consulted through the process of care and prescribing is done by the referring veterinarian; and, 4. Allow an employee, agent, or contractor of a county or municipal animal control authority acting under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian to vaccinate impounded dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies. Under the same heading, FL H.B. 1117 would: 1. Allow a VCPR to be established by telemedicine; 2. Require a veterinarian practicing telemedicine to provide clients with a statement containing the veterinarian’s identity, license number, and contact information, as well as contact information for at least one physical veterinary clinic in the vicinity of the pet’s location and instructions for how to receive patient follow-up care or assistance if the Conclusion Each state board’s mission is to protect and safeguard the well- being of the citizens within their jurisdiction, and they do this by implementing laws that identify the standards required to enter the profession and remain in practice, and by establishing procedures for identifying and, when necessary, sanctioning or removing incompetent or unethical practitioners. American Association of Veterinary State Boards. (n.d.). Licensing boards for veterinary medicine . Retrieved on April 19, 2023, from https://www.aavsb.org/public-resources/find- regulatory-board-information/ American Veterinary Medical Association. (2023, March). State legislative updates . Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from https://www.avma.org/advocacy/state-and-local- advocacy/state-legislative-updates Animal Protection New Mexico. (2023). Understanding the differences between statutes, regulations, ordinances and common law . Retrieved on April 20, 2023, from https://apnm. org/what-we-do/challenging-animal-cruelty/animal-laws/understanding-the-differences- between-statutes-regulations-ordinances-and-common-law Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. (n.d.). Veterinary medicine - Board information . Retrieved on April 20, 2023, from http://www.myfloridalicense.com/ DBPR/veterinary-medicine/board-information/ References
veterinarian and client are unable to communicate because of a technological or equipment failure or if there is an adverse reaction to treatment; 3. Require the veterinarian practicing telemedicine to obtain a signed and dated statement from the client indicating that the client has received the required information; 4. Allow a veterinarian practicing telemedicine to order, prescribe, or make available medicinal drugs, but not controlled substances unless an in-person physical exam or medically appropriate timely visits have occurred; and 5. Allow an employee, agent, or contractor of a county or municipal animal control authority acting under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian to vaccinate impounded dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies. H.B. 1117 was received in the senate on April 17, 2023 (Florida Senate, 2023b). In the January 2023 report, under the Small Business heading, FL S.B. 60, introduced in December of 2022, would: 1. Require a provider of companion animal cremation services to provide certain individuals and entities with a written description of the services the provider offers; 2. Require certain persons or entities that make referrals to providers or accept deceased companion animals for cremation through a provider to make a copy of the provider’s written description of services available to owners or their representatives; and, 3. Require certain providers to include a certification with the returned animal’s cremation remains.
Veterinarians need to stay updated on new laws and rules. To keep current, veterinarians are encouraged to review the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine’s “statutes and rules” tab on the website, available at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/ DBPR/veterinary-medicine/statutes-and-rules/
Florida Department of State. (n.d.). Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register . Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from https://www.flrules.org/gateway/Division. asp?DivID=270 Florida Legislature. (2023). The 2022 Florida statutes (Including 2022 Special Session A and 2023 Special Session B) . Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ STATUTES/ Florida Senate. (2023a). CS/HB 989: Appointment of courtroom animal advocates . Retrieved on April 25, 2023, from https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/989 Florida Senate. (2023b). H.B. 1117: Medical treatment of animals . Retrieved on April 25, 2023, from https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1117 Florida Senate (2023c). HB 1581: Dog breeding . Retrieved on April 24, 2023, from https:// www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1581
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Book Code: VFL1524
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