S.B. No. 216
AN ACT
relating to the disposal by a veterinarian of animal remains and
associated medical waste.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 801.361, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 801.361. DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL REMAINS. (a) In this
section, "medical waste" includes animal waste, blood, gloves,
sleeves, newspapers, and plastic bags, but does not include sharps.
(b) A veterinarian may dispose of the remains of an animal
and medical waste associated with the animal by burial or burning
if:
(1) the burial or burning occurs on property owned by
the veterinarian that is located:
(A) outside the corporate boundaries of a
municipality; or
(B) within the corporate boundaries of a
municipality as a result of an annexation that occurs on or after
September 1, 2003; and
(2) at least one of the following requirements is met:
(A) a veterinarian-client-patient relationship
existed between the veterinarian, the owner or other caretaker of
the animal, and the animal before the animal's death;
(B) the veterinarian diagnosed, treated,
boarded, or otherwise cared for the animal before its death; or
(C) the veterinarian performed euthanasia or an
autopsy on the animal [does not charge for the burning or burial].
(c) [(b)] Notwithstanding any other law, the Texas [Natural
Resource Conservation] Commission on Environmental Quality may not
adopt a rule that prohibits conduct authorized by this section.
(d) [(c)] This section prevails over any other law that
authorizes a governmental entity to:
(1) prohibit or restrict outdoor burning; or
(2) abate a public nuisance [applies only in a county
with a population of less than 10,000].
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 216 passed the Senate on
May 13, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 216 passed the House on
May 28, 2003, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor