Since our last Update, telemedicine bills in Alaska and Hawaii moved through the legislative process and were sent to their respective governors for approval. Alaska SB74, which would enable out-of-state telehealth providers to provide services via telemedicine if the physician or another licensed health care provider in the physician's practice group is available to provide follow-up care, was passed by the legislature and transmitted to the governor on June 6, 2016. The governor has until June 23, 2016, to sign or veto the bill before it takes effect without his signature. Louisiana HB570, a bill that would remove the state's current requirement that a physician providing services via telemedicine maintain an office or an arrangement with a physician who maintains an office within the state and would expressly permit audio-only telehealth, was also sent to the governor for executive approval on June 6, 2016. The governor must sign or veto the legislation within 10 days of transmittal or it becomes law without his signature.
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