Florida HB 89: Veterinary Prescription Disclosure

Bill Text

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CS/CS/HB 89 2026 Legislature

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

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An act relating to veterinary prescription disclosure; 2
creating s. 474.224, F.S.; requiring a veterinarian to 3
inform a client of the right to receive a written 4
prescription or the option to have the prescription 5
filled at the veterinary establishment; specifies 6
certain transmission methods for "written 7
prescriptions"; requires the disclosure to include an 8
acknowledgement signed by the client; requires the 9
acknowledgement to include certain information; 10
prohibiting certain statements, notifications, 11
warnings, or assumptions; requiring posting of certain 12
information; providing requirements therefor; 13
providing exceptions; providing an effective date. 14
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 16
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Section 1. Section 474.224, Florida Statutes, is created 18
to read: 19
474.224 Veterinary prescription disclosure.— 20
(1)(a) Before dispensing a prescription medication, a 21
licensed veterinarian or an authorized member of the veterinary 22
staff must clearly inform a client of: 23

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CS/CS/HB 89 2026 Legislature

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

1. The client's right to receive a written prescription 24
for the medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of the 25
client's choice. 26
2. If the veterinary establishment is able to fill the 27
prescription, the option to have the prescription filled at the 28
veterinary establishment. 29
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For purposes of this chapter, "written prescription" may include 31
paper prescriptions via manual transmission or electronic 32
prescriptions via direct transmission to a pharmacy. 33
(b) Each disclosure required under this subsection shall 34
be made: 35
1. Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in 36
person; or 37
2. Electronically, if the consultation with the client is 38
through veterinary telehealth. 39
(c) The option chosen by the client under paragraph (a) 40
must be documented by the veterinarian or an authorized member 41
of the veterinary staff with a one-time acknowledgement that is 42
signed by the client and that states that the client is aware of 43
the options in paragraph (a). 44
1. The acknowledgement must be in substantially the 45
following form: 46
47
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ABILITY TO 48

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

RECEIVE WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION 49
"I, (name of client), understand the veterinary client's 50
right to receive a written prescription for the medication 51
that can be filled by the pharmacy of my choice or my 52
veterinarian, as provided in s. 474.224, Florida Statutes." 53
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Signature: (signature of applicant) Date: 55
(date) 56
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2. An acknowledgment signed by a client under this section 58
shall be documented in the patient's medical record. 59
3. An acknowledgement under this section may not make a 60
statement, notification, warning, or assumption regarding the 61
efficacy or safety of filling prescriptions through an outside 62
pharmacy. 63
(d) A veterinary establishment shall post a clear and 64
conspicuous sign near the point of sale or where checkout occurs 65
which substantially states the following: 66
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"FLORIDA LAW GIVES THE VETERINARY CLIENT THE OPTION TO: 68
1. RECEIVE A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATION THAT CAN 69
BE FILLED AT THE PHARMACY OF YOUR CHOICE; OR 70
2. HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED AT THE VETERINARY 71
ESTABLISHMENT, IF THE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENT IS ABLE TO 72
FILL THE PRESCRIPTION." 73

ENROLLED
CS/CS/HB 89 2026 Legislature

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb89 -02-er
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

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(2) This section does not apply if: 75
(a) Immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to 76
preserve life or prevent suffering; or 77
(b) The prescription is for a controlled substance, the 78
dispensing of which is restricted by federal or state law. 79
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 80