BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 412

By: Aycock

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law authorizes the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to establish a peer assistance program that complies with provisions of the Health and Safety Code relating to peer assistance programs for professionals who are impaired by chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or by mental illness.  H.B. 412 expands the disciplinary powers of the board to include the authority to issue a disciplinary order directing an impaired veterinarian to participate in the peer assistance program under the Veterinary Licensing Act.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 412 amends the Occupations Code to authorize the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to issue a disciplinary order directing a veterinarian to participate in the peer assistance program under the Veterinary Licensing Act if the board determines that the veterinarian is an impaired professional, defined by reference to the Health and Safety Code as an individual whose ability to perform a professional service is impaired by chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or by mental illness.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.