88R9351 KKR-D
 
  By: A. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 3439
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in
  the care of a releasing agency.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 828.012(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A veterinarian employed by a releasing agency may not
  perform nonemergency veterinary services other than sterilization
  on an animal that the releasing agency knows or should know has an
  owner.  However, this subsection does not prevent a veterinarian
  employed by a releasing agency from performing veterinary services
  on an animal whose owner: 
               (1)  is an individual or family whose income is:
                     (A)  not more than 80 percent of the median income
  for the area in which the individual or family lives as determined
  using a source or methodology accepted under federal law or rule; or 
                     (B)  less than the federal poverty level for the
  relevant household size; and
               (2)  submits to the releasing agency evidence to
  establish the owner qualifies as an individual or family described
  by Subdivision (1) [is indigent].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.