What's happening
This bill, called "Buoy's Law," requires veterinarians to notify animal owners of medication risks and side effects both verbally and in writing.
Why it matters
Improves transparency and informed consent. By requiring both verbal and written notification of medication risks, this law ensures pet owners have a clearer understanding of possible side effects, helping them make better-informed decisions about their animals’ care.
Enhances consumer protection. Pet owners will receive manufacturer-provided warning labels or inserts when medications are repackaged, reducing the likelihood of missing critical safety information that could affect their pet’s health.
Increases veterinarian accountability. The law imposes a legal duty on veterinarians to proactively communicate risks, which could lead to higher professional standards, fewer misunderstandings, and potentially reduce liability issues related to adverse reactions.
Addresses a gap in current law. Prior to this bill, there was no explicit requirement for veterinarians in New York to provide this level of risk disclosure, meaning pet owners may not have received essential medication information unless they specifically asked.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Warn Pet Owners on Meds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Vets Disclose Pet Risks
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Phil Boyle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4664
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, SOLAGES -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BLAKE, COOK, GOTTFRIED, JEAN-PIERRE, KEARNS, PICHARDO, SIMON, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing Buoy's law relating to requiring veterinarians to notify owners of potential risks and side effects of medication prior to prescribing or otherwise providing medication to an animal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Buoy's law".
§ 2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 380 to read as follows:
§ 380. Notification by veterinarian of risks and side effects of medication. 1. A veterinarian who prescribes or otherwise provides medication for an animal shall notify the owner of the animal verbally and in writing of the potential risks and side effects of such medication prior to prescribing or providing medication.
2. If a veterinarian repackages prescription medication prior to prescribing or otherwise providing such medication, the veterinarian shall provide a copy of the drug manufacturer's warning label or a manufacturer's warning information insert to the owner of the animal.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03904-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.