| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to certain confidential or privileged information related |
|
|
to veterinary care or treatment. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 801.353, Occupations Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subsections (d-2) and (f-1) and amending Subsection (g) to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(d-2) The privilege provided by this section is waived by |
|
|
the client or the owner of the animal treated by the veterinarian |
|
|
with respect to information regarding the animal's care and |
|
|
treatment by the veterinarian that the client or owner publishes in |
|
|
a public forum. |
|
|
(f-1) A veterinarian does not violate this section by |
|
|
providing to a veterinarian or an appropriate governmental entity |
|
|
information regarding: |
|
|
(1) the prescribing, dispensing, or requesting of a |
|
|
controlled substance; or |
|
|
(2) cruelty to or an attack of an animal. |
|
|
(g) A public health authority or other governmental entity |
|
|
that receives information under Subsection (f) or (f-1) shall |
|
|
maintain the confidentiality of the information, may not disclose |
|
|
the information under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not use |
|
|
the information for a purpose that does not directly relate to law |
|
|
enforcement or the protection of public health and safety. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 801.353, Occupations Code, as amended by |
|
|
this Act, applies only to the disclosure or release of information |
|
|
under that section on or after the effective date of this Act. The |
|
|
disclosure or release of information before that date is governed |
|
|
by the law in effect on the date of the disclosure or release, and |
|
|
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |