KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Alabama

HB616 • 2026

Veterinary medicine; providing written prescriptions to clients required, subject to conditions

Veterinary medicine; providing written prescriptions to clients required, subject to conditions

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Wilcox
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information about the consequences of violating the rules, enforcement mechanisms, or specific impacts on veterinary practices starting October 1, 2026.

Veterinary Prescriptions Required

This bill requires licensed veterinarians to provide written prescriptions upon request, with certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires licensed veterinarians to give a written prescription if asked by the client and it is safe for home use.
  • Needs veterinarians to tell clients they can get a written prescription before giving out medication.
  • Makes veterinary facilities put up signs telling people they can ask for written prescriptions.
  • Does not apply when immediate treatment is needed or when federal/state laws restrict dispensing.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Licensed veterinarians
  • Veterinary facility owners and staff
  • Pet owners

Terms To Know

veterinarian-client-patient relationship
A professional relationship between a veterinarian, the pet owner, and the animal patient.
written prescription
A paper or electronic document from a veterinarian that allows a client to get medication at a pharmacy.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a veterinarian violates the rules.
  • It is unclear how this will affect veterinary practices in Alabama starting October 1, 2026.
  • There are no details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 House

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  2. 2026-03-12 House

    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business

Official Summary Text

Veterinary medicine; providing written prescriptions to clients required, subject to conditions

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB616
EJK7XCC-1
By Representative Wilcox
RFD: Commerce and Small Business
First Read: 12-Mar-26
1
2
3
4
5
EJK7XCC-1 02/04/2026 ZAK (L)ZAK 2026-452
Page 1
First Read: 12-Mar-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a licensed veterinarian may
not render veterinary medical services, including
prescribing drugs, without establishing a
veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
This bill would prohibit a licensed veterinarian
from refusing to provide a written prescription upon
request, subject to certain conditions.
This bill would require a licensed veterinarain
to disclose that a client may request a written
prescription before dispensing a prescription
medication.
This bill would also require all veterinary
facilities to post a conspicuous sign notifying the
public of the fact that a client may request a written
prescription from his or her veterinarian.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to veterinary medicine; to add Section
34-29-77.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit licensed
veterinarians from refusing to provide written prescriptions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 2
veterinarians from refusing to provide written prescriptions
upon request, subject to conditions; to require licensed
veterinarians to disclose certain information prior to
dispensing medications; and to require veterinary facilities
to post signage stating that clients may request written
prescriptions from his or her veterinarian .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For purposes of this section, the term
"written prescription" includes paper prescriptions via manual
transmission and electronic prescriptions via direct
transmission to a pharmacy.
(b) A licensed veterinarian may not refuse to provide a
written prescription to a client upon the client's request to
do so if:
(1) In the licensed veterinarian's medical opinion, the
prescription medication is medically safe for in-home
administration by the owner; and
(2) A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship
exists.
(c) Before dispensing a prescription medication, a
licensed veterinarian, or an authorized member of the
veterinary staff, shall clearly inform a client that:
(1) The client may request to receive a written
prescription for the medication that may be filled at a
pharmacy of the client's choice; and
(2) If the veterinary facility is able to fill the
prescription, the client may have the prescription filled at
the facility.
(d) All veterinary facilities shall post a clear and
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 3
(d) All veterinary facilities shall post a clear and
conspicuous sign near the primary public entrance or at the
primary point of sale or checkout that substantially states
the following:
"UNDER ALABAMA LAW, A VETERINARY CLIENT MAY RECEIVE A
WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FROM HIS OR HER VETERINARIAN UPON REQUEST
THAT MAY BE FILLED BY A PHARMACY OF HIS OR HER CHOOSING."
(e) This section does not apply if:
(1) In the determination of a licensed veterinarian,
immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to preserve
the life or prevent the suffering of a patient; or
(2) The prescription is for a medication for which
dispensing is restricted by federal or state law.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70