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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in |
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the care of a releasing agency. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 828.012, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A veterinarian employed by a releasing agency may not |
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perform nonemergency veterinary services other than sterilization |
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on an animal that the releasing agency knows or should know has an |
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owner. However, this subsection does not prevent a veterinarian |
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employed by a releasing agency from performing veterinary services |
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on an animal whose owner: |
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(1) is an individual or family whose income is: |
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(A) not more than 50 percent of the median income |
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for the area in which the individual or family lives as determined |
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using a source or methodology accepted under federal law or rule; or |
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(B) less than the federal poverty level for the |
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relevant household size; and |
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(2) submits to the releasing agency evidence to |
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establish the owner qualifies as an individual or family described |
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by Subdivision (1) [is indigent]. |
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(b-1) If a veterinarian employed by a releasing agency |
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performs veterinary services on an animal whose owner qualifies as |
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an individual or family described by Subsection (b)(1), the agency |
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shall: |
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(1) maintain the evidence the owner submits to the |
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agency under Subsection (b)(2); and |
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(2) on request of the State Board of Veterinary |
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Medical Examiners, make the evidence available to the board for |
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inspection. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |