Committee approves bill expanding telemedicine within veterinary practices, limits out-of-state vets

The Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 105, which clarifies and expands the veterinarian–client–patient relationship (VCPR) and allows telemedicine within the same practice for animals that already have an established relationship.

Senate Majority Chairman Jason Analipatore presented the bill and said it is intended to protect Georgia veterinarians and animal owners by tightening accountability around telemedicine. Dr. Carrie Redick, executive director of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, told the committee the bill would let veterinarians in the same practice use an existing VCPR so a different veterinarian in the practice could treat an animal when the primary veterinarian is unavailable.

Under the measure, licensed Georgia veterinarians operating under the same practice may provide telemedicine based on an existing VCPR. Telemedicine may be used without an existing VCPR only in emergency circumstances: when no Georgia-licensed veterinarian is available within 50 miles or when no licensed veterinarian can respond within 24 hours, as the sponsor described it. Dr. Redick said veterinary technicians would not be permitted to practice telemedicine; technicians may provide teletriage (broad advice) but cannot diagnose or prescribe.

Representatives of the Georgia Agribusiness Council and Georgia Cattlemen's Association said they support the bill and expect it to help livestock producers in rural areas with limited access to large-animal veterinarians. Committee members asked about recordkeeping and oversight; Dr. Redick said telemedicine encounters are part of the medical record and subject to medical-record requirements enforced by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

After questions and several members voicing support, a committee member moved to pass the substitute; the committee approved the bill by voice vote.