What's happening
Buoy's Law requires veterinarians to verbally and in writing notify animal owners of medication risks and side effects before prescribing.
Why it matters
Increases pet owner awareness and safety. By requiring veterinarians to give both verbal and written notice of medication risks and side effects, the law helps pet owners make more informed decisions and be better prepared to spot adverse reactions in their animals.
Improves transparency and accountability. Mandating clear communication creates a legal standard for veterinarians, potentially reducing misunderstandings and liability disputes between pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Addresses risks of repackaged medication. The law specifically covers situations where medications are repackaged, requiring vets to provide original manufacturer warnings or inserts, thus ensuring critical safety information is not lost or overlooked when drugs are not dispensed in original packaging.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Vets Disclose Pet Risks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
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.
Warn Pet Owners on Meds
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
664
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would require veterinarians to notify owners in writing of any and all side effects of prescribed medications.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Names this legislation "Buoy's Law"
Section 2. Requires notification of side effects for prescribed medication to animals
Section 3. Effective Date
Justification
This legislation will allow pet owners to make informed decisions before giving prescribed medication to their much loved animals. Buoy was a young dog who died as a result of being given a prescribed medication. His owner was uninformed of the potential side effects of this prescribed medication which had caused his untimely death. Pet owners deserve to have all available information regarding potential side effects of prescribed medications for their pets. This legislation may prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Veterinarians are already provided this information about the possible side effects of medications from pharmaceutical manufacturers. This legislation would require veterinarians to pass along this information to the pet owners. Just as parents are able to make informed decisions about medications for their children, pet owners should be able to make informed decisions about medications for their pets.
Prior legislative history
2016: Died in Agriculture
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This legislation shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.