Bill > SB1677

This bill, known as the Veterinary Telemedicine for Livestock Care Act, establishes guidelines for veterinarians in Oklahoma to use telemedicine, which is the practice of veterinary medicine through electronic communication when the veterinarian and animal are not in the same physical location, to care for livestock, defined as cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, equine, and poultry raised for commercial, agricultural, or subsistence purposes. It allows licensed veterinarians to use telemedicine for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations when an in-person exam isn't immediately possible, provided the animal's condition requires urgent attention, visual or verbal communication offers enough information for a professional judgment, the veterinarian obtains sufficient information through approved telecommunication methods, and the encounter is properly documented. However, telemedicine cannot replace routine herd health inspections or vaccinations unless approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which is also authorized to create rules regarding the appropriate use of telemedicine, recordkeeping, confidentiality, training, and limitations on prescribing medications without a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) or an in-person examination, except in emergencies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1677&Session=2600