PRIA Logo™
AlabamaSB852026 Regular SessionSenate

Veterinary medicine; veterinarian-client-patient relationship further specified; scope of practice inside and outside veterinarian-client-patient relationship further defined

Sponsored By: Larry Stutts (Republican)

Enacted

Animals

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

More backup care for animal owners

Beginning October 1, 2026, a care relationship stays with the veterinarian who established it but can be shared within the practice. Other Alabama-licensed veterinarians at the same practice premises can use it when the animal's written or electronic records are kept there. During an emergency within a valid relationship, another veterinarian can provide remote help if the original veterinarian cannot examine the animal. This help can include care-plan changes, advice, recommendations, or referral to another licensed veterinarian. An emergency requires a veterinarian's finding that immediate care is needed, including life-threatening or life-altering conditions or possible loss of or permanent damage to major body functions.

Animal care relationships need yearly renewal

Beginning October 1, 2026, client status requires an in-person agreement with a licensed veterinarian for services. A valid care relationship requires a physical exam within the past 12 months, with more frequent exams when age, health, treatment, or controlled drugs require them. The relationship must be renewed by its anniversary each year or it becomes invalid. The veterinarian must accept responsibility for care, know enough to begin diagnosis, and understand how the animal is kept. The veterinarian must also provide follow-up or arrange emergency or continuing care, oversee treatment and outcomes, and keep complete, readable records.

Animal medicines need valid care relationships

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama-licensed veterinarians cannot prescribe or dispense drugs without a valid care relationship. They cannot create that relationship solely to sell drugs. With a valid relationship, prescription refills are limited to one year from the first prescription date. Medical needs or state or federal rules can restrict refills sooner. This refill limit does not itself require a new exam.

Veterinary rules cover more diagnostic work

Beginning October 1, 2026, veterinary law defines animals as all living or dead members of the animal kingdom except humans. Collecting blood or other samples to diagnose disease or another condition counts as veterinary medicine. The law removes the prior exception for certain federal and Alabama agriculture personnel working in brucellosis eradication or external parasite control programs.

Remote animal advice has firm limits

Beginning October 1, 2026, veterinarians serving Alabama clients or animals must hold an Alabama license, even when working remotely elsewhere. Telemedicine requires an existing valid care relationship and cannot establish one. Alabama-licensed veterinarians can offer remote urgency checks when an emergency occurs without a valid relationship, no valid relationship was established in the previous 12 months, or the person is not a client. These checks cannot include diagnosis or treatment. The veterinarian can arrange an in-person visit with the person or refer them and the animal to another licensed veterinarian.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Larry Stutts

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • David Sessions

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Butler

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 240 • No: 1

House vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1319

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Stutts motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 618

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 620

Yes: 33 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Stutts motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 619

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/15/2026Senate

  2. Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026House

  5. Third Reading in Second House

    4/8/2026House

  6. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1319

    4/8/2026House

  7. Ready to Enroll

    4/8/2026Senate

  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  9. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/4/2026House

  10. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

    2/26/2026House

  11. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/26/2026House

  12. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry 1st Substitute Offered

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Stutts motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 618

    2/25/2026Senate

  15. Stutts 1st Amendment Offered

    2/25/2026Senate

  16. Stutts motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 619

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 620

    2/25/2026Senate

  18. Engrossed

    2/25/2026Senate

  19. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/12/2026Senate

  20. Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry 1st Substitute

    2/11/2026Senate

  21. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/11/2026Senate

  22. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/15/2026Senate

  23. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/15/2026Senate

  24. Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin

    1/15/2026Senate

  25. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Healthcare

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation