S 2653

2026 -- S 2653
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 LC005465
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE
  Introduced By: Senators Britto, Murray, Urso, Patalano, DiMario, Dimitri, Famiglietti,
  Kallman, Valverde, and Vargas
  Date Introduced: February 27, 2026
  Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1SECTION 1. Chapter 5-25 of the General Laws entitled "Veterinary Practice" is hereby
2 amended by adding thereto the following section:
35-25-7.2. Veterinarian drug consultation.
4(a) Each time a veterinarian initially prescribes, dispenses, or furnishes a drug to a dog or
5 cat patient in an outpatient setting, the veterinarian shall offer to provide, verbally, in writing, or
6 by email to the client, a consultation that includes the following information:
7(1) The name and description of the drug;
8(2) Route of administration, dosage form, dosage, duration of drug therapy, the duration of
9 the effects of the drug, and the common severe adverse effects associated with the use of a short-
10 acting or long-acting drug;
11(3) Any special directions for proper use and storage;
12(4) Actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose; and
13(5) If available, precautions and relevant warnings provided by the drug's manufacturer,
14 including common severe adverse effects of the drug.
15(b) If available by drug manufacturer, a veterinarian must provide a client information sheet
16 to pet owners when prescribing medications.
17(c) A veterinarian may delegate to a registered veterinary technician or veterinary assistant
18 the task of providing consultation and drug documentation required by this section.
19(d) It shall be noted in the medical record of the animal patient if the consultation described
1 in this section is provided or declined by the client.
2SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE
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1This act would require veterinarians to provide consultations to dog or cat owners when a
2 drug is prescribed and dispensed for that animal patient.
3This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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