Tennessee House Bill HB1132

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/2/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 44; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to veterinary practice.

Impact

The provisions outlined in HB1132 encompass the ability of veterinarians to engage in telemedicine, allowing follow-up consultations through electronic means after an initial physical meeting. This is particularly significant for rural areas where access to veterinary services may be limited. The bill also specifies that follow-ups must occur every 24 months to maintain the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. This flexibility promotes better health monitoring for livestock while also catering to the logistical challenges faced by veterinarians in remote locations.

Summary

House Bill 1132 amends the Tennessee Code, specifically relating to veterinary practice. This bill establishes clear guidelines for creating and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, which is essential for veterinarians to provide care to livestock producers. The bill mandates that a veterinarian must conduct an initial physical examination or adequately familiarize themselves with a patient through in-person visits in order to initiate this relationship. This requirement aims to ensure that veterinarians have a comprehensive understanding of the animal's health conditions before providing medical advice or treatment.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB1132 may arise from its implications for how veterinary services are accessed and what standards are mandated for establishing a veterinarian-client relationship. Critics may express concerns regarding the adequacy of telephonic or electronic evaluations as substitutes for in-person visits, fearing it might compromise animal welfare. Furthermore, the bill allows for veterinarians to provide emergency care without an established relationship if circumstances deem it necessary, which could lead to debates over the adequacy of care when relationships are formed under urgency rather than standard protocol.