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Bill > SB159

CO SB159

Use of Veterinary Telehealth

summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
02/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/20/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill modifies certain laws related to the practice of veterinary telehealth. Under current law, in order to practice veterinary telehealth in Colorado, a licensed veterinarian must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) through an in-person, physical examination of the animal (patient) or by a medically appropriate and timely visit to the premises where the animal is kept. The bill allows a veterinarian to establish a VCPR through telehealth. An in-person, physical examination of the patient or visit to the premises is not necessary, and the veterinarian may establish the VCPR through an electronic examination using synchronous audio-video based communication technology. The bill clarifies the definition of "telehealth" and changes references throughout current law from "telemedicine" to "telehealth". Under current law, a licensed veterinarian is prohibited from prescribing drugs to a patient through telehealth unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person, physical examination of the patient. The bill removes that requirement and permits a veterinarian to prescribe drugs to a patient through telehealth as long as the veterinarian has established a VCPR and follows certain requirements. However, the bill still requires an in-person, physical examination of the patient in order to prescribe the patient a controlled substance or an antimicrobial for longer than 14 days. The bill removes the requirement under current law that a veterinarian who uses telehealth be available in person at a veterinary premises that is accessible to the client and patient for follow-up evaluations. The bill also repeals a provision in current law that prohibits a veterinary specialist to whom a patient has been referred from prescribing medication to the patient unless that veterinary specialist has established a VCPR through an in-person, physical examination of the patient.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Colorado's veterinary telehealth laws to expand the ways veterinarians can establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and provide remote medical services. Previously, veterinarians were required to conduct in-person physical examinations to establish a VCPR, but the bill now allows them to do so through synchronous audio-video communication technology. The legislation updates terminology throughout existing laws, replacing "telemedicine" with "telehealth" and providing a comprehensive definition of telehealth as a method of delivering veterinary healthcare services through telecommunications technologies. The bill also changes prescribing rules, permitting veterinarians to prescribe medications via telehealth with some important restrictions: they cannot prescribe controlled substances without a prior in-person examination, and they can only prescribe antimicrobial drugs for up to 14 days without an in-person follow-up. Additionally, the bill removes previous requirements that veterinarians using telehealth must be physically available at a veterinary premises and eliminates restrictions on veterinary specialists prescribing medications after referrals. These changes are designed to increase accessibility and flexibility in veterinary healthcare delivery while maintaining professional standards and patient safety.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Postpone Indefinitely (on 03/20/2025)

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