Revision: Dec. 1, 2025, 10:14 a.m.
HB 1305 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2879
08/09
HOUSE BILL 1305
AN ACT enabling the use of telehealth to deliver veterinary care.
SPONSORS: Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32; Rep. Pauer, Hills. 36; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. L. Miner, Rock. 7; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. S. Smith, Sull. 3; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables the use of telehealth to deliver veterinary care.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2879
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT enabling the use of telehealth to deliver veterinary care.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Veterinary Telehealth. Amend RSA 332-B by inserting after section 20 the following new section:
332-B:21 Veterinary Telehealth.
I. As used in this section “veterinary telehealth” means the use of communications technologies to provide veterinary medical care remotely.
II. A veterinarian who holds a current license to practice veterinary medicine in this state may practice veterinary telehealth.
III. Subject to the judgment of a licensed veterinarian, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) may be established through veterinary telehealth if the following requirements are met:
(a) The veterinarian and client use real-time, audiovisual communication through which the animal is observed, or the veterinarian obtains current knowledge of the animal patient using instrumentation and diagnostic equipment through which images and medical records may be transmitted electronically. Real-time video engagement is not required for the delivery of telemedicine services after a VCPR is established.
(b) If relevant medical records exist from a previous in-person visit and are available to the client, the records, including diagnostic data if available, may be transmitted electronically to enable the veterinarian to obtain historical knowledge of the animal.
(c) The veterinarian obtains from the client a signed and dated statement of consent including acknowledgment of the following:
(1) The same standards of care under the state veterinary practice act and corresponding regulations apply to telemedicine and in-person veterinary medical services; and
(2) The client has the option to choose an in-person visit rather than a telemedicine service.
IV. If a veterinarian practicing telehealth conducts a patient evaluation sufficient to diagnose and treat the patient, the veterinarian is not required to research a patient’s medical history or conduct a physical examination of the patient before using veterinary telehealth to provide a veterinary health care service to the patient.
V. A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth may order, prescribe, or make available medicinal drugs provided the prescription complies with state and federal law.
VI. A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth shall do the following:
(a) Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection for the client and patient;
(b) Provide the client with instructions for how to receive patient follow-up care or assistance in the event the veterinarian and client are unable to communicate because of a technological or equipment failure or if there is an adverse reaction to treatment;
(c) Inform the client that if medication is prescribed the client may obtain a prescription that may be filled at the pharmacy of his or her choice;
(d) Be familiar with available veterinary resources, including emergency resources, near the patient’s location and be able to provide the client with a list of nearby veterinarians who may be able to see the patient in person upon the request of the client;
(e) Comply with state and federal laws and regulations; and
(f) Keep, maintain, and make available a summary of the patient record of a telemedicine visit in accordance with records requirements for the provision of in-person veterinary medical services.
VII. A veterinarian may not prescribe a controlled substance without an in-person physical examination of the patient, except for limited dosage deemed essential by the veterinarian for veterinary hospice or palliative care or to maintain an animal’s safety during transport to a clinic for in-person examination.
VIII. A veterinarian may not use veterinary telehealth to issue an international or interstate travel certificate or a certificate of veterinary inspection.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage