Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 319	Senate Author:  Watson et al.
Effective:  9-1-17	House Sponsor:  Raymond

            Senate Bill 319 amends the Veterinary Licensing Act, Occupations Code, to continue the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners until September 1, 2021, and to provide for a special-purpose review of the board by the Sunset Advisory Commission for the 87th Legislature. In addition to making across-the-board sunset provisions, the bill requires the board to monitor certain information to determine whether a veterinarian is engaging in potentially harmful prescribing or dispensing patterns or practices and authorizes the board to conduct a risk-based inspection of a veterinarian's practice concerning the use, handling, prescribing, dispensing, or delivery of controlled substances. The bill establishes criminal history record information requirements for the issuance and renewal of a license to practice veterinary medicine and requires the board to adopt a schedule of sanctions to serve as the basis for administrative penalties imposed under the act.

Senate Bill 319 amends the Health and Safety Code to set out notification and identification requirements regarding quarantined animals.