What's happening
This bill, called "Buoy's Law," requires veterinarians to notify animal owners of medication risks and side effects before prescribing.
Why it matters
Empowers pet owners to make safer decisions about their animals’ health. by ensuring they receive clear information about medication risks, possible side effects, and proper use, potentially preventing accidents or harmful reactions.
Requires veterinarians to offer detailed consultations. either in person or electronically—covering medication name, dosage, administration, duration, storage, missed dose actions, and (if requested) manufacturer warnings, enhancing transparency in veterinary care.
Mandates documentation in animal medical records. about whether the medication consultation was provided or declined, which creates accountability and a record for both veterinarians and pet owners, potentially aiding in dispute resolution or follow-up care.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tell Pet Owners Drug Risks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 8
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.324
- Referred to domestic animal welfare
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1304
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
Show 7 earlier actions
- Print number 3959c
- Amend and recommit to domestic animal welfare
- Print number 3959b
- Amend and recommit to domestic animal welfare
- Print number 3959a
- Amend and recommit to domestic animal welfare
- Referred to domestic animal welfare
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.
Vet Must Explain Pet Meds
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3959--C
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 21, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BROOKS, BOYLE, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, GAUGHRAN, GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM, HOYLMAN, JACKSON, KENNEDY, KRUEGER, MONTGOMERY, RAMOS, SALAZAR, SAVINO, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO, SKOUFIS, THOMAS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. BROOKS, BOYLE, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, GAUGHRAN, GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM, HOYLMAN, JACKSON, KENNEDY, KRUEGER, MONTGOMERY, RAMOS, SALAZAR, SAVINO, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO, SKOUFIS, THOMAS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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 381 to read as follows:
§ 381. Notification by veterinarian of risks and side effects of medication. 1. Each time a veterinarian initially prescribes, dispenses, or provides a medication to an animal patient in an outpatient setting, the veterinarian shall offer to provide, in person or through electronic means, to the client responsible for the animal, or his or her agent, a consultation that includes the following information:
(a) The name and description of the medication;
(b) Route of administration, dosage form, dosage, duration of drug therapy, the duration of the effects of the drug, and the common severe adverse effects associated with the use of the drug;
(c) Any special directions for proper use and storage;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08453-06-9
S. 3959--C 2
(d) Actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose; and
(e) If requested and where available, a veterinarian shall provide documentation of precautions and relevant warnings provided by the drug's manufacturer.
2. The client, or an agent designated by the client, shall decide whether the consultation be provided in person or through electronic means.
3. It shall be noted in the medical record of the animal patient if the consultation described in this section is provided or declined by the client or his or her agent.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
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
This legislation would require veterinarians to notify owners of side effects associated with prescribed medications.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. provides a short title "Buoy's Law"
Section 2. amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 381 which provides that veterinarians will offer to provide a consultation either in person or through electronic means detailing of the side effects, warnings, and directions for proper use and storage of prescribed medication to animals
Section 3. is the enacting clause
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.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect one-hundred and eighty days after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.