HB 2247 — Concerning veterinarian-client-patient relationships.

ENGROSSEDH-2690.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2247 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By House Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Parshley, Lekanoff, Reed, Leavitt, Zahn, Gregerson, Berg, and Fosse)Fosse READPrefiled FIRST01/05/26. TIME 01/27/26.

Read first time 01/12/26.

Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

and adding a new section to chapter 18.92 RCW;RCW.

and providing an effective date.

1 ESHBHB 2247 physically examine the animal, such knowledge may be established using telehealth when:

and (iii) In cases where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship has been established through (b)(i)(A) or (B) of this subsection:

(A) Enter in the medical record detailed information regarding the nature of the substantial challenge or urgent condition that generated the need for every such telehealth consultation;

and (B) Refrain from treating that animal for a period exceeding one year following the initial consultation unless that animal has had a physical examination during that year by a veterinarian licensed pursuant to this chapter.

Evidence of the physical examination must be noted in the records of the veterinarian that is treating the animal pursuant to (b)(i)(A) or (B) of this subsection;

The veterinarian-client-patient p.relationship may not be extended to other veterinarians based solely on the accessibility of the medical records.

2 ESHB 2247 relationship may not be extended to other veterinarians based solely on the accessibility of the medical records.

A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified, or where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established, is not subject to discipline based solelyp. on the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian- client-patient relationship;

2 HB 2247 solely on the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian- client-patient relationship;

(d) Dispensing drugs prescribed by another veterinarian licensed under this chapter, in compliance with RCW 18.92.012, if:

and p.(f) Must encourage the owner of the animal or the qualified individual to schedule an in-person follow-up examination of the animal to occur not later than 90 days after the date of the examination through telehealth if the veterinarian, the owner of the animal, or the qualified individual has concerns about the animal's health that cannot be addressed through telehealth.

3 ESHB 2247 (f) Must encourage the owner of the animal or the qualified individual to schedule an in-person follow-up examination of the animal to occur not later than 90 days after the date of the examination through telehealth if the veterinarian, the owner of the animal, or the qualified individual has concerns about the animal's health that cannot be addressed through telehealth.

(a)p. The termination does not constitute patient abandonment as described in board rules;

3 HB 2247 (a) The termination does not constitute patient abandonment as described in board rules;

(8) For animals or animal products for commercial purposes, including food consumption,consumption: medical testing, and commercial breeding:

(a) There must be a written agreement betweenwith the client andthat aidentifies the farm veterinarian of record who is accountable for drug use and treatments administered to the animals on the commercialfarm operation;

(b) The veterinarian of record is the responsible party for providing appropriate oversight of drug use on the commercialfarm operation.

Oversight includes establishment of diagnostic and treatment protocols, training of personnel, review of treatment records, monitoring drug inventories, assuring appropriate labeling of drugs, and monitoring compliance and outcomes,outcomes. and, in cases where telehealth is used in between in-person exams, at least one annual in-person visit following an initial in-person examination of the commercial operation where the animals are kept.

Veterinary oversight of drug use must include all drugs used on the commercialfarm operation regardless of the distribution of the drugs to the client;farm;

p.(d) A veterinarian issuing a veterinary feed directive must comply with applicable federal laws and regulations, including 21 C.F.R.

4 ESHB 2247 (d) A veterinarian issuing a veterinary feed directive must comply with applicable federal laws and regulations, including 21 C.F.R.

353353(f), (f), and may only be used by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

(b) AExtra veterinarianlabel providinguse care through telehealth may notbe prescribeallowed aonly drugwhen toordered theby animal patient for a periodveterinarian longerand thanwithin three months from the datecontext of issuing a prescriptionveterinarian-client-patient unlessrelationship. a veterinarian has examined the animal patient in person.

The(c) A veterinarian providing care through telehealth may not issueprescribe anothera prescriptiondrug to the animal patient for a period longer than three months from the samedate drugof unlessissuing theya haveprescription conductedunless ana in-personveterinarian examinationhas ofexamined the animal patient.patient in person.

(c)The A veterinarian providing care through telehealth may not prescribep. an antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory drug to the animal patient for a period longer than 14 days of treatment.

The4 veterinarianHB may2247 not issue anyanother furtherprescription antimicrobial or anti- inflammatory drug prescription, including a refill, to treat the conditionanimal ofpatient for the animalsame patientdrug unless thethey veterinarianhave has conducted ananother in-person examination of the animal patient.patient, either in person or using telehealth.

(d) A veterinarian providing care through telehealth may not prescribe an antimicrobial drug to the animal patient for a period longer than 21 days of treatment.

The veterinarian may not issue any further antimicrobial drug prescription, including a refill, to treat the condition of the animal patient unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person examination of the animal patient.

p.(a) Certify with the board of at least 14 days a year of practice in a clinic setting with hands-on animal experience unless telehealth medicine is less than 90 percent of the veterinarian's annual practice in Washington, unless the veterinarian has over 20 years of practicing veterinary experience.

5 ESHB 2247 (a) Certify with the board of at least 14 days, with a minimum of 105 total hours, a year of practice in a clinic setting with hands-on animal experience unless telehealth medicine is less than 90 percent of the veterinarian's annual practice, unless the veterinarian has over 20 years of practicing veterinary experience.

Hands-on animal experience in a clinic setting includes but is not limited to volunteering at clinics, animal shelters, or emergency facilities.

If medical records exist from a previous in-person visit and are in possession of the client, the client may transmit those records,p. including any diagnostic data contained therein, to the veterinarian electronically;

5 HB 2247 records, including any diagnostic data contained therein, to the veterinarian electronically;

(e) As required by subsection (5)(c) of this section, be familiar with available medical resources, including emergency resources near the animal patient's location, be able to provide the client with a list of nearby veterinarians who may be able to see the animal patient in person upon the request of the client, and keep, maintain, and make available a summary of the animal patient record;record, as specified in board rules;

p.(13) A veterinarian may use telehealth without establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship in order to provide teleadvice to another licensed veterinarian or in an emergency situation as long as the client is clearly instructed as soon as possible to have their animal patient evaluated in person by a licensed veterinarian.