To Authorize Veterinary Telemedicine In This State; And To Set Certain Standards For Veterinary Telemedicine.
Summary
SB61 authorizes veterinary telemedicine in Arkansas and adds statutory definitions and standards for its use under the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Practice Act. The bill defines “large animal,” “small animal,” and “veterinary telemedicine,” and makes clear that telemedicine may include electronic communication by telephone or audio-visual technology when used consistent with a veterinarian’s professional judgment. It also allows veterinarians to provide general health information, guidance, or recommendations that are not specific to a particular animal, as well as to make a timely assessment about whether an animal needs immediate emergency or urgent care.
The bill limits veterinary telemedicine to licensed veterinarians and sets conditions for emergency or urgent situations where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship has not yet been established. In those cases, the veterinarian must establish that relationship within seven calendar days for a small animal or within 21 calendar days for a large animal. The measure therefore expands access to veterinary care through remote services while preserving a requirement for follow-up in-person or established-care relationships after urgent remote intervention.
Impact
SB61 amends Arkansas Code § 17-101-102 and adds a new section to Title 17, Chapter 101 governing veterinary telemedicine standards. It changes state law by expressly recognizing telemedicine as a lawful mode of veterinary practice, defining the scope of covered animals and services, and setting licensing and timing requirements for emergency or urgent remote care. The bill affects licensed veterinarians, animal owners, and veterinary regulators by creating a legal framework for remote consultations and requiring prompt establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship after certain telemedicine encounters.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Senate 33-2 on third reading and later passed the House 98-0 on third reading, indicating strong bipartisan approval and little visible opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, so the record reflects support primarily through the overwhelmingly favorable floor votes rather than recorded debate.
Contention
The main policy issue appears to be how to balance expanded access to veterinary care with safeguards against remote treatment without an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship. The bill addresses that concern by limiting telemedicine to licensed veterinarians and requiring a relationship to be established within a short period after emergency or urgent remote care, with different deadlines for small and large animals. Any potential contention would likely center on whether those deadlines are sufficient and whether telemedicine should be used more broadly for diagnosis and treatment, but the vote totals suggest those concerns did not generate significant opposition.