These are the latest pet-related regulatory developments in the US

State legislators are currently discussing several bills affecting the pet industry across different US states. GlobalPETS takes a look. 

New York

The state of New York has proposed legislation to make pet insurance available in the state after Maine, California, Washington and Mississippi made similar efforts.

A8276 or S7845 (proposed by Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, D-Syracuse, and Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany) aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework to bring more transparency to pet insurance policies that cover accidents and illnesses.

According to a reported statement from Breslin and Hunter, this legislation would create uniform definitions, offer better protection to owners and reduce regulatory confusion.

The bill mandates insurers to disclose coverage exclusions, limitations, waiting periods and any changes in coverage or premiums based on claim history or pet age to customers. They are also required to share the basis of claim payments, benefits and customary fees beforehand.

It also grants pet insurance applicants the right to return the policy within 30 days of receipt if dissatisfied.

The bill also does away with the need for a veterinary examination to grant a policy renewal, differentiates between insurance and wellness programs and requires insurance providers to undergo necessary training.

Florida

In Florida, 2 bills are awaiting approval, which is set to increase access to veterinary care through the “Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act” (HB1245) and “Providing Equity in Telehealth Services Act” or the PETS Act (SB 1040).

The first, HB1245, proposes to create a new section of professional assistants called “veterinary professional associates” to assist with the state-wide veterinary shortage. 

This would allow clinics to deliver high-efficiency and high-quality veterinary services to pet owners at a reasonable cost through the help of professionals with master’s degrees in veterinary clinical care. The bill would allow them to work under the supervision of licensed veterinarians to perform all tasks like pet sterilizations and dental surgeries except prescribing medication or controlled substances

The PETS Act, SB 1040, would enable veterinarians to supplement their practices using virtual technology to treat pets after establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). 

Through this act, vets will be able to consult, assess, and diagnose pets virtually. Certain medicines can also be prescribed, but they may only be issued for 1 month for parasitic treatments and up to 14 days for other purposes. 

However, this telemedicine law restricts virtual access to only those pets who have recently visited the veterinarian at their clinic, taking away the benefit of increasing veterinary access to more pets who cannot travel to veterinarians.

Data from a December 2023 poll showed that 89% of registered Florida voters supported expanding legal options for veterinarians and pet owners to access telemedicine. As many as 88% of respondents supported the legislation granting pet owners more flexibility in accessing video health services.

The proposed date of effect for both legislations in Florida is 1 July 2024.

Colorado

In Colorado, Rep. Karen McCormick’s House Bill 24-1047, called the Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice, and House Bill 24-1048 for the provision of veterinary telemedicine aim to increase access to veterinary care for those in rural and underserved Colorado communities.

Similar to the table law in Florida, HB24-1047 allows veterinary technicians and specialists to perform tasks of care (including dental procedures and surgical tasks) under the supervision of licensed veterinarians after the licensed veterinarian has established a veterinarian-client-patient (VCPR) relationship with the patient and provided an appropriate level of supervision first.

The bill, which is expected to come into force on 1 January 2026, hopes to address the veterinary shortage crisis.

On the other hand, HB 24-1048 further eases access to veterinary telehealth by proposing to extend the established VCPR to other licensed veterinarians in the same physical premises as the one who established the relationship. It clarified that the initial VCPR relationship needs to be established through a physical in-clinic visit.

This would allow the licensed veterinarian to provide consultations, diagnoses and referrals via video. Prescriptions for medications can only be made via veterinarians with established VCPR. The bill also authorizes the state board of veterinary medicine to establish further rules for telehealth.

The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has displayed support for both bills passed by the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee and awaits reading at the House of Representatives.