Legislative Glossary
Here are some handy definitions that will help you better understand the legislative updates:
Act: Legislation enacted into law, that has been passed by both the House & Senate & signed by the Governor (Source)
Amend/Amended: Any alteration made (or proposed to be made) to a bill or clause thereof by adding, deleting, substituting, or omitting. (Source)
Appropriation: Funds allocated for various departments of government set aside by formal action for specific use. Allows money to be spent; is not actual expenditure record. (Source) There are committees for this specifically.
Assembly: A collection of legislative representatives (members of the House or Senate)
Bicameral: A legislature consisting of two separate chambers, each serving as a check on the other’s power. (Source)
Carry Over: Legislation that is held over from the first year of a legislative biennium to the second year
Caucus: An informal meeting of a group of the members; most commonly based on political party affiliation, but may have other bases, such as gender, race, geographic location or specific issue. (Source)
- Minority Caucus: A caucus made up of representatives from the chamber’s minority party.
- Majority Caucus: A caucus made up of representatives from the chamber’s majority party.
Chamber: Official hall for the meeting of a legislative body (Source) in referencing the House or Senate
Committee: Body of members appointed by the presiding officer (or another authority specified by the chamber) to consider and make recommendations concerning disposition of bills, resolutions and other related matters. (Source)
- Subcommittee: A subdivision of a committee that considers matters of a specific topic and reports back to the full committee.
- Joint Committee: committee composed of members from both chambers. (Source)
- Committee Substitute: A bill offered by a committee in lieu of another bill that was originally referred to the committee for consideration; technically, the committee substitute is an amendment to the original bill. (Source)
- Committee of the Whole: Either house of the legislature sitting in its entirety as a committee to consider bills or issues.(Source)
Crossed-Over: When a bill is referred from one chamber from another (House to Senate, or Senate to House)
Died-In-Committee: The defeat of a bill by not returning it from committee to the house for further action. (Only permitted in certain states.) .(Source)
Engross (Engrossment): Most commonly, the process by which a bill is updated--that is, how adopted amendments and other changes are incorporated into a bill—as it makes its way through the Senate or House.(Source)
Expunge: An action that directs the removal of specific portions from the journal. This is applicable in situations where objectionable, inflammatory or incorrect matter has been included in the journal. (Source)
Hearing: Public discussion and appearance on a proposal or bill; usually scheduled by a committee. (Source)
Journal: An official chronological record of the actions taken and proceedings of the respective chambers. (Source)
Reading: The presentation of a bill and/or its amendments.
- The first presentation (or first reading) of a bill or its title for consideration. In some states, the first reading is done at the time of introduction. (Source)
Referred: The assigning or referring a bill to a committee (Source) (or the other chamber)
Reported-Out (i.e. Committee Report): Official release of a bill or resolution from committee with (or without) a specific recommendation, such as "pass", "pass as amended" or "do not pass." (Source)
Resolution: A document that expresses the sentiment or intent of the legislature or a chamber, that governs the business of the legislature or a chamber, or that expresses recognition by the legislature or a chamber. (Source)
Session (Regular): Meeting intended for legislatures to conduct their usual and ordinary business. (Source)
- Executive Session: A session excluding from the chamber or committee room all persons other than members and essential staff personnel. (Source)
- Joint Session: A combined meeting of the Senate and House in one chamber (Source)
- Limited Scope Session: A meeting limited to addressing a specific issue (commonly these are fiscal issues) (Source)
- Special or Extraordinary Session: Meeting intended for the legislature to conduct business that was not completed during the regular session, or to address an emergency, or an emerging issue. (Source)
Sine Die: Final adjournment of the assembly without a day being set for reconvening. (Source)
Status of the Bill: The progress of a bill at any given time in the legislative process. It can be in committee, on the calendar, in the other house, etc. (Source)
Strike Out: The deletion of language from a bill or resolution. (Source)
Table or Lay on the Table: To set aside a matter for possible consideration at a future time.
Transmit: To move a bill from one chamber or branch to another.
Withdrawn/To withdraw: To remove a bill, amendment, or other legislative matter from a committee or from further consideration by the legislative body. (Source)
West Region
States included in the West Region:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
Midwest Region
States included in the Midwest Region:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Many state legislatures are out of session. States currently in regular session include: AR, CA, ID, IN, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH & PA
We mainly use the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual session map, which can be found here:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2021-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx
The Jan 2021 Michigan proposed rule is final, including:
R 338.4901a Telehealth services.
Rule 1a. (1) A veterinarian providing a telehealth service shall do all of the following:
(a) Ensure that the client knows the identity and contact information of the veterinarian providing the telehealth service. Upon request, the veterinarian shall provide his or her licensure information including the name of the state where he or she is licensed and his or her license number.
(b) Ensure that the technology method and equipment used to provide telehealth services complies with all current privacy-protection laws.
(c) Employ sound professional judgment to determine whether using telehealth is an appropriate method for delivering medical advice or treatment to the animal patient.
(d) Have sufficient knowledge of the animal patient to render telehealth services demonstrated by satisfying 1 of the following:
(i) Have recently examined the animal patient in person or have obtained current knowledge of the animal patient through the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment through which images and medical records may be transmitted electronically.
(ii) Have conducted medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the group of animal patients is kept.
(e) Act within the scope of his or her practice.
(f) Exercise the same standard of care applicable to a traditional, in-person veterinary care service.
(g) Make himself or herself readily available to the animal patient for follow up veterinary services or ensure there is another suitable provider available for follow up care.
(2) Consent for medical advice and treatment shall be obtained before providing a telehealth service pursuant to section 16284 of the code, MCL 333.16284.
(3) Evidence of consent for medical advice and treatment must be maintained in the animal patient’s medical record.
(4) A veterinarian providing a telehealth service may prescribe a drug if the veterinarian is a prescriber acting within the scope of his or her practice and in compliance with section 16285 of the code, MCL 333.16285.
History: 2021 MR 8, Eff. Ap. 15, 2021.
Changes the use of the term “telemedicine” to “telehealth." Expands the application of the telehealth statute to additional licensed practitioners instead of applying only to prescribers. Amends the definition of "telehealth."
Requires that the telehealth medical records be created and maintained under the same standards of appropriate practice for medical records for patients in an in-person setting. Specifies that a patient waives confidentiality of medical information concerning individuals in the vicinity when the patient is using telehealth.
Important Note: House bill mentions VCPRs and the Senate bill does not.
House bill passed House and was referred to Senate on 2/18/21. Senate bill was amended & passed on 2/1-2/21 and referred to the House on 2/3/21.
See most recent updates of House bill here. See most recent updates of Senate bill here.
This legislative session adjourns April 29, 2021.
VCPR via telemedicine, vet nurse, and CED online.The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate a provide an initial diagnosis of the current medical condition of the animal. Makes various changes to how a VCPR is established.
Provides the following: 1) That a vet may extend a VCPR to another vet. 2) That a veterinarian shall reasonably assure confidentiality is maintained when a veterinarian initiates communication to a client under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. 3) That the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship does not require a veterinarian to provide treatment to a patient.
First read and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture on 1/7/21. There have been no updates since then. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns April 29, 2021.
Amended Sec 2. 148.01: When appropriate, a service may be delivered via telemedicine as defined in section 62A.671.
Amended Sec 10. 148.109: A licensed chiropractor may engage in the practice of animal chiropractic if the chiropractor is registered to practice animal chiropractic by the board under this section and if the animal has been referred to the chiropractor by a veterinarian.
Amended Sec 5. 148.109: The board shall consult with the State Board of Veterinary Medicine before adopting rules on animal chiropractic.
Introduced in House, first read, and referred to House Committee on Health Finance & Policy on 1/25/21. There have been no updates since then. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns May 17, 2021.
Replaces the word telemedicine with telehealth.
Defines telehealth & relevant terms such as healthcare provider & telemonitoring services.
Allows a physician-patient relationship to be established through telehealth.
On 3/4/21, the bill was passed as amended by the Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection Finance & Policy, and referred to the Senate Committee on Human Services Reform Finance & Policy. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns May 17, 2021.
*Note: This bill does not directly relate to veterinary telemedicine. We are tracking it because we see it as a continuation of the telemedicine conversation.
This bill revises provisions governing veterinary medicine as follows:
1) Requires a VCPR if a veterinarian is going to delegate the performance of an act, task, or function.
2) A VCPR requires the vet to see and be personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by the client by examining the patient or medically appropriate/timely visits to the location where the animal is kept.
3) A VCPR is not required if the delegated act, task, or function is meant to render emergency or urgent care to a patient when the client cannot be identified, or if the animal is in the custody of an animal shelter or rescue and the client cannot be identified.
4) A veterinarian may practice via telehealth without a VCPR in an emergency until the patient can be seen by a vet, however the vet shall make a good-faith effort to arrange an in-person visit as soon as practicable to establish a VCPR.
5) A veterinarian who recommends a prescription drug for an animal shall, on request of the animal’s owner, issue the owner a prescription for the prescription drug instead of dispensing it.
The VVCA is aware of and actively engaged in this bill.
The House Agriculture Committee heard this bill during a hearing on 6/2/2021. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns 12/16/2021.
The Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board has posted draft language that repeals Wis. Admin Code chs. VE 1-10, and in it's place creates VE 1-3 and renumbers VE 11. The Board’s July Agenda provides a summary and drafted changes of this code (beginning on page 223).
The drafted language adds definitions of telemedicine, telehealth, and teletriage (pg. 246-247). Also added is a section regarding the delegation of medical acts to CVTs (pg. 265-269). Lastly, a section regarding veterinary telehealth and the VCPR is added (pg. 270-271).
The key thing to note is that the draft language (beginning on pg. 240) does not pose a change to the current definition of a VCPR (pg. 1), however, over the last few months the Board discussed the potential following options in terms of how a VCPR may be established:
•Option 1: In order to practice veterinary medicine in WI a veterinarian must be licensed in WI and have an established VCPR with the client. A VCPR must be established via an in person physical exam, or timely medically appropriate visits to the premises on which the patient is kept. It may not be established by telehealth technologies.
•Option 2: In order to practice veterinary medicine in WI a veterinarian must be licensed in WI and have an established VCPR with the client prior to treating a patient. A VCPR may be established by utilizing telehealth technologies to examine the patient as medically appropriate to the circumstance.
• Option 3: In order to practice veterinary medicine in WI a veterinarian must be licensed in WI and have an established VCPR with the client prior to treating a patient. To establish a VCPR the veterinarian must meet the requirements of Wis. Stat. § 89.02 (8). A licensed veterinarian may satisfy the exam requirement under Wis. Stat. § 89.02 (8) (b) for the establishment of the VCPR via telehealth technologies through the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment where images and medical records are able to be transmitted electronically or a physical in person exam.
The Board members did not favor either of these options unanimously. With that in mind, please see public comment information below:
•Written comments will be accepted through September 29, 2021, and may be sent to the Division of Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911 or by e-mail to Angela.Fisher1@wisconsin.gov
•Hearing Dates and Locations:
-Thursday, September 9, 2021 Commencing at 11:00AM In Person: Boardroom CR 106, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53708 Via Internet Access: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1603673730?pwd=Vk4zenJ6Q2RqSUhCSFRJYkNWbVBhUT09 Via Telephone Access: Dial 1-551-285-1373, Meeting ID: 160 367 3730, Passcode: 740921
-Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Commencing at 4:30PM In Person: Boardroom CR 106, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53708 Via Internet Access: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601485734?pwd=RTJSNnl0d2JVN1F6cVgvV3ZLM3pydz09 Via Telephone Access: Dial 1-551-285-1373, Meeting ID: 160 148 5734, Passcode: 673114
•You may obtain a copy of the proposed rule by contacting the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Office of the Secretary, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, Wisconsin 53708- 8911. You may also obtain a copy by contacting the division policy analyst, Angela Fisher, at Angela.Fisher1@wisconsin.gov or by calling (608) 224-4890. Copies will also be available at the hearing.
IA Administrative Bulletin (pg. 134-135)
•The following rule-making action is proposed:
Amend paragraph 12.1(1)“b” as follows:
b. The licensed veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient. Sufficient knowledge means that the licensed veterinarian has recently seen or is personally acquainted with the care of the patient by virtue of an a physical examination of the patient or by medically appropriate and timely visits within the past 12 months to the premises where the patient is kept; and”
•Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Comments should be directed to:
Colin Tadlock
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Wallace State Office Building
502 East 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319
Email: colin.tadlock@iowaagriculture.gov
•A public hearing on September 1, 2021 10 to 11 a.m. at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:
Second Floor Boardroom
Wallace State Office Building
502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA
*Note: We have reached out to the Board regarding remote access to this public hearing, and they informed us that it is in-person attendance only.
•The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
Southwest Region
States include: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
Many state legislatures are out of session. States currently in regular session include: AR, CA, ID, IN, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH & PA
We mainly use the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual session map, which can be found here:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2021-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx
Telemedicine or telehealth means the practice of veterinary medicine including diagnosis, consultation, evaluation, treatment, transfer of medical data or exchange of information by means of a two-way, real-time interactive communication between a client or patient and a veterinarian with access to and reviewing the patient's relevant information prior to the telemedicine visit. Telemedicine or telehealth shall not include consultations provided by telephone audio-only communication. A veterinarian using telehealth technologies shall take appropriate steps to establish the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and conduct all appropriate evaluations and history of the patient consistent with traditional standards of care for the particular patient presentation. A veterinarian shall be licensed, or under the jurisdiction of, the veterinary board of the jurisdiction where the patient is located. The practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time telehealth technologies are used;
Requires military and spouse to be licensed within 30 days of application.
See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns May 28, 2021.
This bill is mostly in regards to establishing telehealth for dentists, but it also establishes the definition of telehealth per Section 26.1-36-09.15.
Introduced in & read to Senate, and referred to Senate Committee on Human Services on 2/15/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns April 28, 2021.
*Note: This bill does not directly relate to veterinary telemedicine. We are tracking it because we see it as a continuation of the telemedicine conversation.
"Telemedicine" or "telehealth" means the practice of veterinary medicine, including diagnosis, consultation, evaluation, treatment, transfer of medical data or exchange of information by means of a two-way, real-time interactive communication between a client or patient and a veterinarian with access to and reviewing the patient's relevant information prior to the telemedicine visit. Telemedicine or telehealth shall not include consultations provided by telephone audio-only communication.
A veterinarian using telehealth technologies shall take appropriate steps to establish the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and conduct all appropriate evaluations and history of the patient consistent with traditional standards of care for the particular patient presentation.The practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time telehealth technologies are used.
Second reading took place & was referred to House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development on 2/2/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns May 28, 2021.
Defines telehealth, its services, requirements & limitations.
States conditions in which telehealth may be utilized and how it may be delivered.
This bill passed the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare & Safety on 2/26/21, and crossed over to the House on 3/2/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns April 2, 2021.
*Note: This bill does not directly relate to veterinary telemedicine. We are tracking it because we see it as a continuation of the telemedicine conversation.
Northeast Region
States included in the Northeast Region:
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
Many state legislatures are out of session. States currently in regular session include: AR, CA, ID, IN, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH & PA
We mainly use the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual session map, which can be found here:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2021-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx
Amended Sec 38.2-3418.16. Sec B: Nothing in this section shall preclude coverage for a service that is not a telemedicine service, including services delivered through real-time audio-only telephone.
Amended Sec 54.1-3303. Sec B: A practitioner who has established a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship with a patient in accordance with the provisions of this subsection may prescribe Schedule ll through Vl controlled substances to that patient via telemedicine if such prescribing is in compliance with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine, and in the case of the prescribing of a Schedule ll through V controlled substance, the prescriber maintains a practice at a physical location in the Commonwealth or is able to make appropriate referral of patients to a licensed practitioner located in the Commonwealth in order to ensure an in-person examination of the patient when required by the standard of care.
A prescriber may establish a bonafide practitioner-patient relationship for the purpose of prescribing Schedule ll through Vl controlled substances by an examination through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communications services or store-and-forward technologies when all of the following conditions are met:…(h) the establishment of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship via telemedicine is consistent with the standard of care, and the standard of care does not require an in-person examination for the purposes of diagnosis; and (i) the establishment of a bona fide practitioner patient relationship via telemedicine is consistent with federal law and regulations and any waiver thereof.
Referred to & passed in the Senate Committee on Education & Health on 2/4-5/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This bill adds the following definitions and provisions to § 30-10-3 & § 30-10-9:
• To §30-10-3: (x) “Telehealth” means the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support or promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, or health administration. Telehealth may include, but is not limited to, telemedicine.
• To §30-10-3: (y)“Telemedicine” means the use of an electronic media to link patients with health care professionals in different locations. To be considered telemedicine under this article, the health care professional must be able to examine the patient via a real-time, interactive audio or video – or both – telecommunications system, and the animal’s owner must be able to interact with the off-site health care professional at the time the services are provided.
•To § 30-10-9: (f) A veterinarian may utilize telehealth or telemedicine technology, as defined by §30-10- 3 of this code, to diagnose and treat animals with which they have a previously existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship as defined §30-10-3 of this code. In the case of an animal health emergency, veterinarians may utilize telemedicine in an emergent case to the extent that treatment may be used to stabilize the animal for transport and transition to in-person examination and treatment.
On 3/8/21 this bill was introduced in the House and referred to the following House Committees: Health & Human Resources and Agriculture & Natural Resources (the bill is currently in this committee).
See most recent bill updates here.
Southeast Region
States included in the Southeast Region:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Many state legislatures are out of session. States currently in regular session include: AR, CA, ID, IN, MA, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH & PA
We mainly use the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual session map, which can be found here:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2021-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx
Allows a veterinarian to establish a VCPR by telephone, or any other means consistent with the veterinarian's professional judgement. Physical examination is not required.
Removes physical requirements from disciplinary proceedings.
"Indirect supervision," means that the supervising veterinarian is available for consultation by telecommunications but is not required to be on the premises during such consultation.
The supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the veterinary care given to the animal by any person working under or at his or her direction and supervision.
The bill was introduced/filed in the House on 2/10/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns on April 30, 2021.
Requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to reimburse the use of telehealth services under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations; authorizing telehealth providers to prescribe specified controlled substances through telehealth under certain circumstances; authorizing out-of-state physician telehealth providers to engage in formal supervisory relationships with certain nonphysician health care practitioners in this state.
Favorable with Health Care Policy Committee Substitute, unanimous "Yea" vote as amended on 2/17/21. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns on April 30, 2021.
*Note: This bill does not directly relate to veterinary telemedicine. We are tracking it because we see it as a continuation of the telemedicine conversation.
Removes all restrictions around using telemedicine to prescribe controlled substances. Applies to all telehealth providers, which includes pharmacists. This bill is currently in the Health Policy; Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns on April 30, 2021.
*Note: This bill does not directly relate to veterinary telemedicine. We are tracking it because we see it as a continuation of the telemedicine conversation.
Allows a veterinarian to establish a VCPR by telephone, or any other means consistent with the veterinarian's professional judgement. Physical examination is not required.
Removes physical requirements from disciplinary proceedings.
"Indirect supervision," means that the supervising veterinarian is available for consultation by telecommunications but is not required to be on the premises during such consultation. The supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the veterinary care given to the animal by any person working under or at his or her direction and supervision.
This bill was referred to the following committees on 2/24/21: Regulated Industries, Agriculture and Rules. See most recent bill updates here.
This legislative session adjourns on April 30, 2021.