SB61

Senate Bill 61 amends the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Practice Act to formally authorize and set standards for the practice of veterinary telemedicine in the state. The bill defines key terms, including 'large animal,' 'small animal,' and 'veterinary telemedicine,' the latter of which involves providing care, treatment, or guidance via electronic communication. It mandates that only licensed veterinarians may provide these services. Furthermore, the bill establishes conditions under which a veterinarian may provide telemedicine services during emergency or urgent situations without a pre-existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship. In such instances, the veterinarian is required to establish this formal relationship within seven days for small animals or twenty-one days for large animals.