Senate Bill 85 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB85 tightens Alabama's veterinary practice rules by requiring a valid veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship to prescribe or dispense medications, sharing that relationship across staff at the same location, and renewing it annually, with a 365‑day prescription refill limit and clarified telemedicine rules.

What This Bill Does

Under SB85, a veterinarian may not prescribe or dispense medications without a VCPR. The bill sets a maximum 365 days for refilling a prescription from the initial date, unless restricted by law. A VCPR established with one veterinarian at a location is shared with all veterinarians practicing at that location, and the VCPR must be reestablished every year to stay valid. Telemedicine care would also require a VCPR and Alabama licensure, and the bill includes definitions of key terms and updates to current law language.

Who It Affects

• Licensed veterinarians and veterinary practices in Alabama, who must obtain and maintain a VCPR for patients, share VCPRs across staff at a location, and follow refill and telemedicine rules.
• Pet owners and their animal patients, who will need a valid VCPR to obtain medications and may experience annual reestablishment requirements and potential changes in how care is delivered (including telemedicine).

Key Provisions

• Defines and standardizes the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and related terms (client, patient, etc.) in Section 34-29-61, including how it is established and maintained.
• Adds Section 34-29-77.1 to require that a VCPR created with one licensed veterinarian remains valid for other licensed veterinarians at the same practice location, and that VCPR records be kept on the practice premises; requires annual reestablishment of the VCPR to remain valid.
• Prohibits prescribing or dispensing medications without a valid VCPR and sets a 365-day maximum for prescription refills from the initial date (unless restricted by law).
• Clarifies that a VCPR can be established for telemedicine and that such care requires Alabama licensure and a VCPR; defines additional practice terms and updates language to current style, with other nonsubstantive revisions.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals