Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

# Summary of Rhode Island Veterinary Telemedicine Bill

This bill would allow veterinarians in Rhode Island to establish a relationship with a pet owner and their animal through electronic means — such as video calls or other telehealth technology — rather than requiring an initial in-person visit. Currently, veterinarians generally need to physically examine an animal before they can begin providing care. This bill would change that by permitting the initial consultation and ongoing care to happen remotely in certain situations.

However, the bill comes with important safeguards. Veterinarians would be required to make a good-faith effort to determine whether an animal's care can appropriately be handled through telemedicine or whether the situation truly requires an in-person examination. In other words, a vet couldn't simply default to remote consultations for everything — they would need to use their professional judgment to decide when virtual care is sufficient and when hands-on treatment is necessary.

This bill would primarily affect pet owners and animal owners across Rhode Island, as well as licensed veterinarians practicing in the state. For pet owners, it could make veterinary care more convenient and accessible, particularly for those in rural areas, those with limited transportation, or those whose animals experience stress during travel. For veterinarians, it would expand the ways they can legally deliver care while adding a responsibility to carefully evaluate whether telemedicine is appropriate for each case.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Corporations Committee. The committee has recommended holding the bill for further study, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026.