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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient |
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relationship and to the practice of veterinary medicine by |
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telephone or electronic means. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 801.351, Occupations Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: |
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(d) After a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is |
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established, veterinary medicine may be practiced by telephone or |
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electronic means if otherwise practiced in accordance with the |
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requirements of this chapter. |
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(e) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (d), in a medical |
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emergency, a veterinarian who reasonably believes an animal's |
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condition would result in irreparable harm or suffering may provide |
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care by telephone or electronic means without establishing a |
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veterinarian-client-patient relationship if that care is otherwise |
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provided in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 801, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 801.365 and 801.366 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 801.365. STANDARDS FOR VETERINARY PRACTICE BY |
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TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC MEANS; JURISDICTION. (a) Notwithstanding |
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any other law, a veterinarian who practices veterinary medicine by |
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telephone or electronic means: |
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(1) must possess a valid license to practice |
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veterinary medicine in this state; |
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(2) must be routinely engaged in the practice of |
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veterinary medicine in this state; |
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(3) shall practice in accordance with this chapter and |
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rules adopted under this chapter; and |
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(4) shall comply with all federal laws applicable to |
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the practice of veterinary medicine. |
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(b) The board has jurisdiction over a veterinarian's |
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practice of veterinary medicine in this state by telephone or |
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electronic means regardless of where the veterinarian is physically |
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located. |
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Sec. 801.366. AUTHORITY TO PRESCRIBE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES |
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BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC MEANS. A veterinarian may not prescribe |
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for the treatment of an animal a controlled substance as defined by |
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Section 481.002, Health and Safety Code, by telephone or electronic |
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means unless the veterinarian has: |
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(1) examined the animal in person; or |
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(2) made medically appropriate and timely visits to |
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the premises on which the animal is kept. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |