Georgia Legislature approves veterinary telemedicine revision by Rep. Leverett

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Rob Leverett to amend Georgia’s laws regarding veterinary telemedicine, teletriage and teleadvice received passage in both the House and Senate, according to the Georgia State House.

The measure advanced through both chambers as of Thursday, March 19, winning approval in the House by a 172-0 margin and in the Senate by 47-0.

Filed as HB1195 on Wednesday, Feb. 4 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the legislation was formally titled: ’Veterinarians; practice and provision of veterinary teletriage and veterinary telemedicine; revise provisions’.

Below is a summary, based on the actual bill text, which includes interpretation intended to clarify its contents.

The legislation updates Georgia law related to veterinary telemedicine, teletriage and teleadvice. Under the bill, licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians under supervision can provide telemedicine and teletriage services without a prior veterinarian-client-patient relationship if no veterinarian is available within 50 miles for an in-person exam within 24 hours, given they advise an in-person visit as soon as possible and supply written details about the veterinarian as well as teletriage limitations, with a signed client acknowledgment. The bill also specifies that teleadvice and teletriage do not require a previous veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and providers are not obligated to find or refer a nearby veterinarian. The law will go into effect upon the governor’s approval or if it becomes law without a signature.

House members supported the bill with 75 Democrats and 97 Republicans voting in favor, and no recorded opposition.

In the Senate, 18 Democrats and 29 Republicans also voted unanimously for the measure.

Co-sponsors included Rep. Beth Camp (Republican-135th), Rep. Sharon Cooper (Republican-45th), Rep. Joseph Gullett (Republican-19th), and two other legislators.

Rep. Leverett earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1986 and a law degree from the University of Georgia.

The Republican lawmaker, elected to represent Georgia’s 123rd House District in 2023 and succeeding Mark Newton, authored the bill.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Monday, May 11.

The Georgia legislative process requires a lawmaker—often prompted by constituents—to work with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After it is filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill is read for the first time and sent to committee, where much of the debate and fact-finding occurs. If approved, it is read a third time before floor debate and voting. Bills that pass both bodies, sometimes through a conference committee if there are differences, go to the governor, who has six days during the session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto or let the bill become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets for a 40-day session annually, beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was sourced from the Georgia State House. The source data is available here.