Senate Bill 105
By: Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Watson of the 11th, Goodman of the 8th, Echols of the
49th, Hatchett of the 50th and others
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 50 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
veterinarians and veterinary technicians, so as to authorize licensed veterinarians and
veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teleadvice; to authorize licensed veterinarians
and veterinary technicians to practice veterinary teletriage under certain circumstances; to
authorize licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary telemedicine under certain
circumstances; to provide for the regulation of the practice of veterinary telemedicine,
veterinary teletriage, and veterinary teleadvice by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine;
to provide for licensure for graduates of foreign colleges or schools of veterinary medicine
who are board certified in a specialty; to provide for an exemption; to revise and provide for
definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 50 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to veterinarians
and veterinary technicians, is amended by revising paragraphs (26) and (29) of and adding
new paragraphs to Code Section 43-50-3, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(26) 'Practice veterinary technology' <del>or 'veterinary technology'</del> means:
(A) To perform animal patient care or other services that require a technical
understanding of veterinary medicine by a licensed veterinary technician on the basis
of written or oral instruction of a licensed veterinarian, excluding diagnosing,
prognosing, performing surgery, prescribing, or dispensing;
(B) To represent, directly or indirectly, publicly or privately, an ability and willingness
to engage in any act described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; or
(C) To use any title, words, abbreviation, or letters, while engaged in the practice of
licensed veterinary technology, in a manner or under circumstances that induce the
belief that the person using them is qualified to engage in an act included in
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph."
"(29) 'Veterinarian-client-patient relationship' means <del>that:
</del> (A)(i) <del>The</del> <ins>A</ins> licensed veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical
judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and
the client has given informed consent for services provided by the licensed
veterinarian;
<del>(B)(ii)</del> There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the licensed veterinarian to
initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the
animal. This means that the licensed veterinarian has recently seen and is personally
acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by <del>the</del> virtue of examination of the
animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal
is kept or by medically appropriate and timely visits by the licensed veterinarian to
premises within an operation or production system where the animal or groups of
animals are kept;
<ins>(C)(iii)</ins> <del>A</del> <ins>The</ins> licensed veterinarian is readily available for follow up care or
consultation or has arranged for:
<ins>(i)(I)</ins> Veterinary emergency coverage; and
<ins>(ii)(II)</ins> Continuing care and treatment by another licensed veterinarian, including
providing a copy of associated records during normal business hours; and
<ins>(D)(iv)</ins> The licensed veterinarian develops and maintains appropriate medical
records.; <ins>or
(B) All licensed veterinarians employed at the same veterinary facility as any licensed
veterinarian for which a veterinarian-client-patient relationship has been established
pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph."
"(35) 'Veterinary teleadvice' means the use of synchronous or asynchronous
telecommunications technology to provide general advice to a client that is not specific
to a particular animal, diagnosis, or treatment.
(36) 'Veterinary telemedicine' or 'practice of veterinary telemedicine' means the use of
synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology to facilitate the practice
of veterinary medicine.
(37) 'Veterinary teletriage' means the use of synchronous or asynchronous
telecommunications technology to assess and manage an animal, including determining
whether immediate referral to a licensed veterinarian is necessary, under conditions of
reasonable urgency or uncertainty. Such phrase shall not include diagnosis, prognosis,
surgery, or the prescribing, administering, or dispensing of any prescription drug or any
other medication or treatment specified by the board."
</ins> SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-50-21, relating to general
powers of board and liberal construction of powers, as follows:
"43-50-21.
(a) The board shall have the power to:
(1) Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licenses to
practice veterinary medicine, <ins>veterinary telemedicine, veterinary teletriage, veterinary
teleadvice,</ins> and veterinary technology in this state;
(2) Issue, renew, refuse to renew, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses to practice veterinary
medicine, <ins>veterinary telemedicine, veterinary teletriage, veterinary teleadvice,</ins> or
veterinary technology in this state or otherwise discipline licensed veterinarians and
licensed veterinary technicians; and to issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke veterinary
faculty licenses, consistent with this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted under
this chapter;
(3) Conduct investigations for the purpose of discovering violations of this chapter or
grounds for disciplining persons licensed under this chapter;
(4) Inspect veterinary premises and equipment, including mobile veterinary clinics, at
any time in accordance with protocols established by rule of the board;
(5) Hold hearings on all matters properly brought before the board; and, in connection
therewith, to administer oaths, receive evidence, make the necessary determinations, and
enter orders consistent with the findings. The board may designate one or more of its
members to serve as its hearing officer;
(6) Appoint from its own membership one member to act as a representative of the board
at any meeting within or outside the state where such representative is deemed desirable;
(7) Bring proceedings in the courts for the enforcement of this chapter or any regulations
made pursuant to this chapter;
(8) Adopt, amend, or repeal all rules necessary for its government and all regulations
necessary to carry this chapter into effect, including without limitation the establishment
and print or electronic publication of standards of professional conduct for the practice
of veterinary medicine, <ins>veterinary telemedicine, veterinary teletriage, veterinary
teleadvice,</ins> and veterinary technology; and
(9) Establish and publish annually a schedule of fees for licensing.
(b) The powers enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section are granted for the
purpose of enabling the board to supervise effectively the practice of veterinary medicine,
<ins>veterinary telemedicine, veterinary teletriage, veterinary teleadvice,</ins> and veterinary
technology and are to be construed liberally to accomplish these objectives."
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-50-30, relating to license
requirement for practice of veterinary medicine and practice by business employee, as
follows:
"43-50-30.
(a) No person may practice veterinary medicine, <ins>veterinary telemedicine, or veterinary
teletriage</ins> in this state who is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary
license issued by the division director pursuant to this article.
(b) <ins>No person may practice veterinary teleadvice in this state who is not a licensed
veterinarian or veterinary technician or the holder of a valid temporary license issued by
the division director pursuant to this article.
(c)</ins> A licensed veterinarian may practice veterinary medicine, <ins>veterinary telemedicine,
veterinary teletriage, or veterinary teleadvice</ins> as an employee of a corporation, partnership,
or other business organization, provided that the licensed veterinarian is not subject to the
direction of anyone not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Georgia in making
veterinary medical decisions or judgments."
SECTION 4.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-50-31, relating to application
for license, qualifications, and recordation of license, as follows:
"43-50-31.
(a) Any person desiring a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state shall make
application to the board. The application shall include evidence, satisfactory to the board,
that:
(1) The applicant has attained the age of 18;
(2) The applicant is of good moral character;
<ins>(3)(A)</ins> The applicant:
<ins>(i) Is</ins> <del>is</del> a graduate of an accredited college or a school of veterinary medicine
accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education or
possesses an ECFVG or PAVE certificate or substantial equivalent; <ins>and
(4)(ii) Has</ins> <del>The applicant has</del> passed a board approved examination; provided,
however, that the board may provide by rule or regulation for a waiver of any part of
such examination for veterinarians who are licensed as such by another state and who
are in good standing therewith; <ins>or
(B) The applicant:
(i) Is a graduate of a foreign college or school of veterinary medicine and has
submitted a transcript certifying completion of his or her education in veterinary
medicine. In support of such certification of completion, such graduate may submit:
(I) An ECFVG certificate or its substantial equivalent;
(II) A PAVE certificate or its substantial equivalent; or
(III) Any other document as authorized by the board; and
(ii) Has completed a residency program or similar training duration program of two
or more years and has received board certification from a veterinary medicine
specialty organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association,
the American Board of Veterinary Specialties, or other American Veterinary Medical
Association board approved organization; provided, however, that such applicant
upon licensure shall only be authorized to practice veterinary medicine in the area of
</ins>
<ins>his or her certified veterinary medicine specialty; and provided, further, that any other
practice of veterinary medicine shall be deemed a violation of subsection (a) of Code
Section 43-50-30 and subsection (a) of Code Section 43-50-45;</ins> and
<del>(5)(4)</del> The applicant meets such other qualifications or provides such other information
as the board may require by rule.
(b) The application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount established by the board.
(c) The division director shall record the new licenses and issue <ins>such licenses</ins> to the new
licensees.
(d) If an applicant is found not qualified for licensure, the board shall notify the applicant
in writing of such finding and the grounds therefor. Such applicant may request a hearing
before the board on the questions of his or her qualifications."
SECTION 5.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 43-50-44, relating to exemptions from
article, by adding a new subparagraph to paragraph (2) to read as follows:
"(2)(A) A person who is a regular student in a veterinary school or school of veterinary
technology performing duties or actions assigned by his or her instructors or working
under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian;
(B) A member of the faculty, a resident, an intern, or a graduate student of an
accredited college or school of veterinary medicine or school of veterinary technology
performing his or her regular clinical or nonclinical functions or a person lecturing or
giving instructions or demonstrations at an accredited college or school of veterinary
medicine or school of veterinary technology in connection with a continuing education
course or seminar;
<ins>(B.1) A person licensed pursuant to subparagraph (a)(2)(B) of Code Section 43-50-31
from lecturing or giving instructions or demonstrations in an area within such person's
certified veterinary medicine specialty at an accredited college or school of veterinary
</ins>
<ins>medicine or school of veterinary technology and in connection with a continuing
education course or seminar;</ins> or
(C) A graduate of a foreign college or school of veterinary medicine who is in the
process of obtaining the ECFVG or PAVE certificate or substantial equivalent
performing duties or actions under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian;"
SECTION 6.
Said chapter is further amended by adding a new article to read as follows:
<ins>"ARTICLE 7
43-50-120.
(a) A licensed veterinarian may practice veterinary telemedicine in this state if:
(1) Such individual is in good standing and primarily practices veterinary medicine in
this state through in-person visits with clients and animal patients;
(2) Such individual has notified the board of his or her intent to practice veterinary
telemedicine and satisfied any additional requirements set forth by the board;
(3) Such individual has an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship with any client
and animal patient;
(4) The animal patient resides within this state at the time the individual practices
veterinary telemedicine;
(5) Such individual practices veterinary telemedicine in a manner consistent with his or
her scope of practice, all federal and state laws, and prevailing professional standards of
practice for a veterinarian who provides in-person veterinary services in this state and
employs sound, professional judgment to determine whether using veterinary
telemedicine is an appropriate method for delivering medical advice or treatment to the
animal patient;
</ins>
<ins>(6) Such individual takes appropriate precautions to preserve the confidentiality of any
client or animal patient's records; and
(7) Such individual informs the client, in writing, of his or her full name, location,
license number, licensure status, and limitations involved in accessing veterinary
telemedicine and obtains a signed and dated statement from the client indicating receipt
of such required information.
(b) Any prescription, administration, or dispensing of prescription drugs pursuant to this
Code section shall be in accordance with all federal and state laws.
(c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize any licensed veterinarian to
prescribe, administer, or otherwise dispense any prescription drug or any other medication
or treatment specified by the board, unless such licensed veterinarian or another licensed
veterinarian employed at the same veterinary facility has recently seen and is personally
acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of a physical examination of
the animal at the veterinary facility or during a medically appropriate and timely visit to
the premises where the animal is located.
43-50-121.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, a licensed veterinarian or a
veterinary technician supervised by a licensed veterinarian may practice veterinary
teletriage, regardless of whether a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists, if the
following conditions are met:
(1) No licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician is available within a 50 mile radius
of the animal's location to perform a physical examination at a veterinary facility or the
premises where the animal is located within 24 hours of the client's request for services;
(2) The licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician requests that, as soon as reasonably
practical, the client present the animal patient for a physical examination at the veterinary
facility or at the premises where such animal is located; and
</ins>
<ins>(3) The licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician informs the client, in writing, of
the veterinarian or supervising veterinarian's full name, location, license number,
licensure status, and limitations involved in accessing veterinary teletriage, and obtains
a signed and dated statement from the client indicating receipt of such required
information.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, a licensed veterinarian may
practice veterinary telemedicine, regardless of whether a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship exists, if the licensed veterinarian satisfies the conditions set forth in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section and paragraphs (1) and (2) and
paragraphs (4) through (7) of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-50-120.
(c) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require or impose a duty upon any
licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician to identify or refer any client to a licensed
veterinarian located within the radius imposed under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this
Code section before practicing veterinary teletriage or veterinary telemedicine.
43-50-122.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a licensed veterinarian or a veterinary
technician supervised by a licensed veterinarian from providing veterinary teleadvice,
regardless of whether a veterinary-client-patient relationship exists."
</ins> SECTION 7.
Sections 4 and 5 of this Act shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the
Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. All other sections of this Act
shall become effective on July 1, 2025.
SECTION 8.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.