The House Regulatory Reform Committee adopted a substitute for House Bill 42 20 and moved House Bill 42 20 (as substitute H-3) and House Bill 42 21 forward with recommendation after hearing from the ASPCA and other stakeholders. Proponents said the substitute broadens access to veterinary telehealth and clarifies who may authorize care when an animal lacks a legal owner.

Caitlin Stadler, state legislative director for the ASPCA Great Lakes Region, described three principal changes in the substitute: expanding the definition of a "qualified individual" to include persons who possess an animal but do not own it (for example, finders, rescuers, or shelter staff); aligning telehealth authority with federal law so certain noncompanion animals may be seen via telehealth; and adding language that encourages in-person follow-up when telehealth cannot resolve concerns.

Stadler said sponsors and stakeholders, including the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Virtual Veterinary Care Association, worked on the revisions since an earlier committee hearing. The committee clerk recorded the roll call for adoption of the substitute and later for reporting the bill with recommendation. The substitute was adopted (12 yays, 0 nays, 1 passed on the adoption vote). The committee then voted to report House Bill 42 20 as substitute H-3 (12 yays, 0 nays, 1 pass) and House Bill 42 21 with recommendation (12 yays, 0 nays, 1 pass).

Multiple organizations were listed in support during the hearing record: Michigan Farm Bureau, Virtual Veterinary Care Association, Michigan Pet Alliance and several veterinarians. No formal amendments beyond the substitute H-3 were recorded in this hearing.

Ending: Both bills were reported with the committee’s recommendation and will proceed to the next legislative stage.