SB-602
Health & Public Health

Veterinarians: veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands veterinary technicians' authority to administer vaccines in animal shelters without a vet present.
  • Requires veterinary technicians to maintain detailed medical records and follow strict written protocols.
  • Mandates technicians to inform clients they are acting as the veterinarian's agent before treatment.
  • Requires emergency care equipment be available when technicians administer vaccines at shelters.

Summary

Senator Cortese's veterinary medicine legislation expands the settings where registered veterinary technicians can administer preventive vaccines and parasite medications while working as agents of licensed veterinarians. The measure modifies existing law to allow technicians to provide these services at public animal control agencies, private animal shelters, and humane society facilities when veterinarians are available by telephone or in the general vicinity, rather than requiring physical presence on-site.

The bill establishes detailed protocols governing these delegated services. Technicians must follow written procedures for patient examinations, maintain comprehensive medical records, and have emergency care equipment readily available. Before administering any treatments, technicians must inform clients they are acting as the veterinarian's agent and document this disclosure. The supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the technician's actions through signed statements that must be retained for three years after their working relationship ends.

For animal welfare organizations operating as registered veterinary premises, this change permits technicians to deliver preventive care with remote veterinary supervision rather than requiring a veterinarian's physical presence. The measure maintains existing requirements for technicians working in traditional veterinary clinics, where veterinarians must remain on-site during treatment administration. All facilities must retain detailed patient records documenting the services provided for a minimum of three years after the animal's last visit.

Key Dates

Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
SB 602 Cortese Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd SB602 Cortese
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-669
Veterinarians: veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
February 2023
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/8/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 17, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
750479PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands veterinary technicians' authority to administer vaccines in animal shelters without a vet present.
  • Requires veterinary technicians to maintain detailed medical records and follow strict written protocols.
  • Mandates technicians to inform clients they are acting as the veterinarian's agent before treatment.
  • Requires emergency care equipment be available when technicians administer vaccines at shelters.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Cortese's veterinary medicine legislation expands the settings where registered veterinary technicians can administer preventive vaccines and parasite medications while working as agents of licensed veterinarians. The measure modifies existing law to allow technicians to provide these services at public animal control agencies, private animal shelters, and humane society facilities when veterinarians are available by telephone or in the general vicinity, rather than requiring physical presence on-site.

The bill establishes detailed protocols governing these delegated services. Technicians must follow written procedures for patient examinations, maintain comprehensive medical records, and have emergency care equipment readily available. Before administering any treatments, technicians must inform clients they are acting as the veterinarian's agent and document this disclosure. The supervising veterinarian assumes responsibility for the technician's actions through signed statements that must be retained for three years after their working relationship ends.

For animal welfare organizations operating as registered veterinary premises, this change permits technicians to deliver preventive care with remote veterinary supervision rather than requiring a veterinarian's physical presence. The measure maintains existing requirements for technicians working in traditional veterinary clinics, where veterinarians must remain on-site during treatment administration. All facilities must retain detailed patient records documenting the services provided for a minimum of three years after the animal's last visit.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/8/2025)

Key Dates

Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
SB 602 Cortese Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd SB602 Cortese
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 17, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
750479PASS

Contacts

Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 1 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-669
Veterinarians: veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
February 2023
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1