86R12048 MAW-D
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 1144
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the disciplinary authority of the State Board of
  Veterinary Medical Examiners.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 801.402, Occupations Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 801.402.  GENERAL GROUNDS FOR LICENSE DENIAL OR
  DISCIPLINARY ACTION.  A person is subject to denial of a license or
  to disciplinary action under Section 801.401 if the person:
               (1)  presents to the board dishonest or fraudulent
  evidence of the person's qualifications;
               (2)  commits fraud or deception in the examination
  process or to obtain a license;
               (3)  is chronically or habitually intoxicated,
  chemically dependent, or addicted to drugs or has improperly
  obtained, possessed, used, or distributed a habit-forming drug or
  narcotic;
               (4)  engages in dishonest or illegal practices in, or
  connected with, the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice
  of equine dentistry;
               (5)  is convicted of a felony under the laws of this
  state, another state, or the United States;
               (6)  engages in practices or conduct that violates the
  board's rules of professional conduct;
               (7)  permits another to use the person's license to
  practice veterinary medicine or to practice equine dentistry in
  this state;
               (8)  fraudulently issues a health certificate,
  vaccination certificate, test chart, or other form used in the
  practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of equine dentistry
  that relates to the presence or absence of animal disease;
               (9)  issues a false certificate relating to the sale
  for human consumption of inedible animal products;
               (10)  commits fraud in connection with the application
  or reporting of a test of animal disease;
               (11)  pays or receives a kickback, rebate, bonus, or
  other remuneration for treating an animal or for referring a client
  to another provider of veterinary or equine dental services or
  goods;
               (12)  performs or prescribes unnecessary or
  unauthorized treatment;
               (13)  orders a prescription drug or controlled
  substance for the treatment of an animal without first establishing
  a veterinarian-client-patient relationship;
               (14)  refuses to admit a board representative to
  inspect the person's client and patient records and business
  premises during regular business hours;
               (15)  fails to keep the person's equipment and business
  premises in a sanitary condition;
               (16)  commits gross malpractice or a pattern of acts
  that indicate consistent malpractice, negligence, or incompetence
  in the practice of veterinary medicine or the practice of equine
  dentistry;
               (17)  is subject to disciplinary action in another
  jurisdiction, including the suspension, probation, or revocation
  of a license to practice veterinary medicine or to practice equine
  dentistry issued by another jurisdiction;
               (18)  is convicted for an offense under Section 42.09,
  42.091, or 42.092, Penal Code;
               (19)  represents the person as a veterinarian without a
  license issued under this chapter;
               (20)  practices veterinary medicine or assists in the
  practice of veterinary medicine without a license issued under this
  chapter; or
               (21)  violates Section 801.353 or a rule adopted by the
  board related to confidentiality.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter I, Chapter 801, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 801.4025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 801.4025.  SUBMISSION TO MENTAL OR PHYSICAL EVALUATION.
  (a)  In enforcing Section 801.402(3) the board, on probable cause as
  determined by the board, may request an applicant for or holder of a
  license to submit to a mental or physical evaluation by a physician
  or other health care professional designated by the board.
         (b)  If the applicant or license holder refuses to submit to
  the evaluation under Subsection (a), the board shall issue an order
  requiring the applicant or license holder to show cause why the
  applicant or license holder will not submit to the evaluation.  The
  board shall schedule a hearing on the order not later than the 30th
  day after the date notice is served on the applicant or license
  holder.  The board shall notify the applicant or license holder of
  the order and hearing by personal service or certified mail, return
  receipt requested.
         (c)  At the hearing, the applicant or license holder and the
  applicant's or license holder's attorney are entitled to present
  testimony or other evidence to show why the applicant or license
  holder should not be required to submit to the evaluation.  The
  applicant or license holder has the burden of proof to show why the
  applicant or license holder should not be required to submit to the
  evaluation.
         (d)  After the hearing, the board by order shall require the
  applicant or license holder to submit to the evaluation not later
  than the 60th day after the date of the order or withdraw the
  request for an evaluation.
         SECTION 3.  Section 801.402, Occupations Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to conduct that occurs on or after the
  effective date of this Act. Conduct that occurs before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the conduct occurred, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.