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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the required disclosure of prices by a veterinarian |
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before providing emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 801, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 801.3581 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 801.3581. PRICE TRANSPARENCY FOR EMERGENCY CARE. (a) |
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The board shall adopt rules to require a veterinarian to disclose to |
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the owner or other caretaker of an animal the following information |
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before providing emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal: |
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(1) a description of the proposed treatment; and |
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(2) the estimated price of the proposed treatment. |
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(b) Rules adopted under this section must ensure the |
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veterinarian has a reasonable opportunity to: |
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(1) assess the animal's condition and develop proposed |
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options for treatment before providing the information described by |
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Subsection (a); and |
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(2) propose additional treatment options and price |
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estimates based on changes in the animal's medical condition. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2023, the State Board |
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of Veterinary Medical Examiners shall adopt rules to implement |
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Section 801.3581, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |