Bill
H 3223
Establishes a veterinary telehealth framework: requires in-person vet visits to form a VCPR, keeps prescribing under license with consent, privacy, and standard-of-care rules.
Status (selected): Introduced Feb 27, 2025; Prefiled Dec 5, 2024. Passed House (amended) April 30, 2025 (Roll call Yeas 110, Nays 0). Sent to Senate May 1, 2025; referred to Committee on Medical Affairs. Hearing scheduled July 15, 2025 (10:00 AM–1:00 PM, A‑1).
Note on source: The bill text largely mirrors an amendment to the South Carolina Code (Chapter 69, Title 40, adding Article 5, sections 40‑69‑510 et seq.). Some docket metadata references a different title (Natural Heritage fees) and multiple jurisdictions; readers should confirm the applicable state and final enrolled text.
Purpose
- Establish a statutory framework for the use of telehealth and telemedicine in veterinary practice.
- Define telehealth-related terms and set professional, privacy, and prescribing standards for remote veterinary services.
Key provisions and changes
- Definitions (Section 40‑69‑510 / Article 5): Introduces and distinguishes terms such as telehealth (umbrella term), telemedicine, tele-advice, teleconsulting, tele-education, telemonitoring, telereferral, telesupervision, and teletriage.
- Veterinarian‑Client‑Patient Relationship (VCPR) (Section 40‑69‑520):
- A VCPR may only be established by an in‑person physical exam of the animal or timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.
- Once established, the VCPR may be maintained through telehealth exams between appropriate in‑person visits.
- VCPR lapses if the veterinarian has not seen the animal within one year.
- Licensing and practice (Section 40‑69‑530):
- Only licensed veterinarians may practice telemedicine in the state; unlicensed practice via telemedicine is unauthorized and subject to penalties.
- Veterinarians must use professional judgment to determine whether telemedicine is medically appropriate.
- Technology used must be of adequate quality for accurate remote assessment and comply with privacy/confidentiality rules.
- Client consent and disclosure (Section 40‑69‑530(D)):
- Providers must obtain and document client consent for telehealth.
- Providers must disclose name, location, licensure status, and whether the condition can be accurately diagnosed/treated via telemedicine, along with diagnosis/prognosis/treatment options (amended language varies by version).
- Standard of care (Section 40‑69‑540):
- Telemedicine evaluations and treatments must meet the same applicable standard of care as in‑person services.
- Providers cannot recommend treatment solely based on online questionnaires.
- Prescribing limits (Section 40‑69‑550 & 40‑69‑560):
- Except as expressly allowed, only a licensed veterinarian with an established VCPR may prescribe medications via telemedicine.
- Veterinary specialists providing services under a referring veterinarian’s established VCPR may deliver care by telecommunication but generally may not prescribe unless they themselves establish a VCPR via in‑person exam. The referring veterinarian may prescribe after consultation in specified circumstances.
- Privacy and records (Section 40‑69‑560):
- Veterinarians must protect client privacy and confidentiality when providing telehealth services.
Who is affected
- Licensed veterinarians and veterinary specialists (practice, prescribing, supervision).
- Veterinary technicians and support staff involved in telehealth delivery.
- Animal owners/clients (consent, access to remote care).
- Telehealth technology vendors and telemedicine platforms (technology quality, privacy requirements).
- State board of veterinary medical examiners (enforcement, rulemaking).
Potential impacts
- Increases clarity and legal framework for veterinary telehealth, likely expanding use of remote consultations, triage, education, and specialist input.
- Protects standards of care and client confidentiality while preserving requirement for in‑person exams to establish a VCPR and to permit many prescriptions—this may limit some first‑visit remote prescribing.
- Shifts compliance responsibilities onto practitioners and platforms (consent documentation, tech standards, record sharing between referring vets and specialists).
Procedural/timeline notes
- Amended in committee and on House floor (scrivener corrections noted 4/30/2025).
- Favorable committee report (Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs) issued April 29, 2025.
- Next action: Senate committee consideration (Committee on Medical Affairs) and scheduled hearing July 15, 2025.
For exact statutory language, section numbering, and the final jurisdictional application, consult the bill text and legislative clerk for the state where H 3223 is being considered.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
