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WashingtonHB 22472025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning veterinarian-client-patient relationships.

Sponsored By: Lisa Parshley (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Animal owners face remote prescription limits

Beginning July 1, 2027, telehealth prescriptions generally require an established veterinary care relationship, except for expressly allowed services. Without an in-person exam, a remote prescription cannot extend beyond three months from its issue date. Another prescription for the same drug also requires an in-person exam. Remote prescriptions for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs are limited to 14 days of treatment. Further prescriptions or refills for the same condition require an in-person exam. Prescription drugs must be used by or on a licensed veterinarian's order and comply with federal and Washington law. Required exams may add visit costs for animal owners.

Commercial animal operations face stronger veterinary oversight

Beginning July 1, 2027, commercial animal production, testing, livestock breeding, and sales operations need written agreements with a responsible veterinarian. That veterinarian oversees drug use and treatment plans, regardless of how drugs are obtained or distributed. Duties include staff training, records, drug inventories and labels, legal compliance, and tracking treatment results. Telehealth between exams requires an initial in-person examination of the premises and at least one in-person visit each year afterward. Prescriptions and drug supplies must cover appropriate periods and animal groups under the veterinarian's direct oversight. Veterinary feed directives must follow federal requirements. These duties may add operating and recordkeeping costs.

Animal owners face new care relationship rules

Beginning July 1, 2027, veterinary care generally requires an established relationship between the owner, veterinarian, and animal. The veterinarian accepts responsibility for care, and the owner agrees to follow instructions. The veterinarian generally needs an in-person exam within the past year, or sooner when medically needed. For farms, shelters, and similar settings, knowledge may come from exams or timely on-site visits. Telehealth can establish the relationship when major access barriers prevent in-person care or urgent illness makes delay unreasonable. The veterinarian must document the reason; treatment cannot continue beyond one year without a documented exam by a Washington-licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian must provide follow-up access or arrange emergency coverage. The relationship covers other veterinarians at the same premises or mobile practice, but sharing records alone does not extend it. Owners can end the relationship anytime; veterinarians cannot abandon patients and must offer referrals when an ongoing condition exists.

Limited remote help before regular veterinary care

Beginning July 1, 2027, veterinarians can provide only listed telehealth services without an established care relationship. These include general advice, emergency triage, poison-control help, and prescribing noncontrolled sedation before an in-person visit. They can also dispense another Washington-licensed veterinarian's prescription when withholding it risks interrupted treatment or suffering. The prescriber must have gathered the information needed to fill it. Veterinarians acting in good faith during emergencies cannot be disciplined solely for being unable to establish the care relationship.

Remote veterinary care gains safeguards and standards

Beginning July 1, 2027, veterinarians must explain telehealth's limits, get consent, and explain that owners can choose in-person care. The same care standard applies, and veterinarians must decide when an in-person exam is medically needed. They must protect privacy, review available medical history and records, and provide a medical history summary. They must provide identification, license and contact information, backup contact methods, local emergency resources, and instructions if treatment or technology fails. They cannot claim a specialty without recognized board certification. Telehealth veterinarians must certify with the state board, which oversees and enforces these standards. Those whose practice is at least 90% telehealth must certify 14 days and 105 hours of hands-on clinic work annually. Veterinarians with more than 20 years of experience are exempt; the board may exempt others unable to practice in person. When telehealth exceptions establish a care relationship, veterinarians need Washington licenses and must arrange local referral connections where practical. They must give written notice about pharmacy access and send prescriptions to the owner's chosen pharmacy on request. They must encourage in-person follow-up within 90 days when remote care cannot address health concerns.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 18

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 18 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/1/2027.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 202, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/11/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/6/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026House

  16. HLTC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

    2/16/2026House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/12/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026House

  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/12/2026House

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2026House

  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/11/2026House

  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2026House

  24. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/23/2026House

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/23/2026House

Bill Text

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